JP2003149796A - Color proof generation system, image processor, output device, color proof generating method, program for implementing the method, and information recording medium where the program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color proof generation system which can obtain color approximation by preventing a difference in solid density due to differences of a form, ink, print conditions, etc. SOLUTION: The color proof generation system is equipped with an image processor which generates color-separated dot image data according to image data consisting of a plurality of colors and one or more output devices which output color proof obtained by making respective dots of the plurality of colors by exposing a photosensitive material to light spots consisting of combination of a plurality of light beams having different wavelength. The image processor includes a calculating means for calculating combination of respective light quantity values for emitting the plurality of light beams according to the combination of respective density values of respective components of a basic color corresponding to dots of the dot image data. The output device includes a control means which controls the exposure quantities of the plurality of light beams for exposure according to the combination of the respective light quantity values calculated by the calculating means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color proof making system, an image processing device, an output device, a color proof making method, a program for executing the method, and an information recording medium recording the program, and more particularly to R
The present invention relates to a color proof that a silver salt color light-sensitive material is exposed by a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths based on halftone image data processed by an IP (raster image processor) or a halftone conversion processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, DTP (Desk Top Pu)
The image input from the scanner is edited by computer software,
Page imposition work has become commonplace, and full-digital editing is becoming commonplace.

In such a process, for the purpose of further improving the efficiency, an image setter output for directly outputting the page-edited image data to the film or a CTP (Computer to Plat) for directly recording the image on a printing plate.
e) Output, and further, CTC (Computer) for recording an image directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing machine.
to Cylinder) is performed.

In this case, if the film output or the printing plate output is performed only for the purpose of confirming the calibration, and the printing proof and the proofreading with other proofing materials are performed, the waste of the film and the printing plate and unnecessary work are increased. There's a problem.

Therefore, especially in the process of creating and editing a full digital image by such a computer, D
DCP or DCP (Digital Color)
There is a demand for a system called Proof) that directly outputs a color image.

Such a DDCP records the digital image data processed on a computer on a plate-making film by an image setter or the like, performs a final printing work for directly making a printing plate by CTP, and a CTC. Create a color proof that reproduces the output target represented by the digital image processed on the computer before recording the image directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing machine with the picture, tone, The text characters are checked.

Further, in the process of proofreading in such a printing process, (1) confirmation of internal mistakes at the work site, that is, internal school, (2) submitted school for confirmation of finish to the orderer and designer, ( 3) Mainly 3 of the print samples provided to the captain of the printing machine as a sample of the final printed matter.
Proofs are created and used for two purposes.

As described above, when a color print is made, the color calibration is performed at the stage of the original film, so that Y
(Yellow) plate, M (Magenta) plate, C (Cyan) plate,
And make a proof (color proof) using each color separation halftone original film that has been separated into BK (black) plates, and make sure that the layout of the original film is correct or correct before creating the production printing plate. In addition, the finished product is inspected in advance by inspecting whether there is an error in the characters.

[0009] At this time, for internal confirmation and for some out-of-school use, due to needs such as shortening of delivery time and cost reduction,
There are cases where proofreading materials that cannot reproduce halftone images, that is, proofreading by sublimation transfer method, and output materials such as inkjet and electrophotography are mainly used as proofreadings for appearance confirmation. In order to confirm details and to confirm improper interference fringes of a halftone image called a moire at the time of printing, it is a strong situation that a proof that faithfully reproduces a halftone dot is strongly desired.

In order to meet such needs, a sublimation transfer recording material or a high power heat mode laser has recently been used.
Although DDCP of a type in which a thermal recording material is subjected to image exposure and transferred to a printing magazine is becoming popular, these systems have high laser head costs, expensive equipment,
In addition, the material is expensive because it uses a large number of color image forming sheets, and the process of image exposure and transfer requires only a number of colors and takes a long time, which is a problem.
There is a problem in that it is difficult to apply it to all jobs or to make a large number of copies like the conventional printing proof from the viewpoint of cost and time.

Therefore, as one method for performing color proof by DDCP, a silver salt color light-sensitive material, for example, R, based on halftone dot image data of each color separation halftone original is used.
A method of exposing a light spot formed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths such as G and B to color each dot of Y, M, C, and BK is used.

[0012]

By the way, when a silver salt color light-sensitive material is formed by a plurality of light sources having different wavelengths,
In the past, solid colors were fixed because a fixed amount of light was combined.

For this reason, the solid density of the final printed matter greatly varies depending on the paper (art paper, coated paper, high-quality paper, etc.), ink, and printing conditions. Therefore, only halftone color adjustment is sufficient for color approximation. The sex was not obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet of final printed matter,
A color proof making system, an image processing device, an output device, a color proof making method, and a method for executing the method, which can obtain solid color densities by preventing differences in solid density due to differences in ink and printing conditions. It is to provide a program and an information recording medium recording the program.

[0015]

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 creates color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors. Based on the image processing apparatus and each of the halftone image data transferred and output from the image processing apparatus, a light spot composed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on the light-sensitive material. A color proof creation system comprising: one or more output devices for outputting a color proof, wherein the image processing device sets a density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of the halftone dot image data. On the basis of,
A calculation means for calculating a combination of the respective light quantity values to be emitted by the plurality of lights; and a transfer control means for controlling the transfer of the respective light quantity values and the halftone image data calculated by the calculation means to the output device. The output device includes a control unit that controls the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on the combination of the respective light amount values calculated by the calculation unit.

Further, in the invention described in claim 2, the calculation means is such that each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to at least 100% of the halftone dots of the halftone image data. It is characterized in that a combination of the respective light quantity values to be emitted by the plurality of lights is calculated based on the above.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the control means immediately before the output of the color proof creates a table that defines the correspondence relationship between the reference color of printing and the intensity composition of the light of the light source that exposes the photosensitive material. It is characterized in that the exposure amount is controlled by switching to, and the color density of the photosensitive material is changed to adjust the density.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a table defining a correspondence relationship between density values of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan and respective light amounts of the plurality of lights is defined. Is stored, and the calculating means calculates each light quantity of the plurality of lights based on the halftone image data while referring to the table.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the table of the storage means defines only each light quantity value corresponding to the specified step of the density value, and the calculation means sets the light quantity value between the specified steps. In the case of a density value, the feature is that a combination of corresponding light amount values is calculated by interpolation calculation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a setting unit that sets an output condition according to a form of an output medium, a printing condition, and an ink type, and an output set by the setting unit. An extraction unit that extracts the light amount value according to a condition is further included.

Further, in the invention according to claim 7, the reference colors are C, M, Y, K, R (Y + M), G (Y + M),
B (C + M), C + M + Y, R + K, C + K, M + K,
Y + K, G + K, B + K, C + M + Y, C + M + Y +
It is characterized by having 16 solid colors of K and White.

Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the calculating means is configured to output each light quantity of the plurality of lights based on a combination of values of a color system corresponding to the halftone dots of the halftone dot image data. The feature is that a combination of values is calculated.

The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the value of the color system is a colorimetric value defined by a standard color space L * a * b *.

The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the value of the color system is a colorimetric value defined by a standard color space XYZ.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is based on a calibration LUT that defines a variation in color of the halftone dots according to a model of the output device, and based on the calibration LUT. Adjustment calculation means for performing the adjustment by calculating the combination of the light amount values while performing color correction on the halftone image data.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus defines a dot gain LUT that defines an area ratio of halftone dots of halftone dot image data to an area ratio of printed halftone dots.
And an adjustment calculation for calculating the combination of the light amount values and adjusting the correction based on the dot gain LUT while correcting the variation of the halftone dot area ratio for the halftone dot image data according to the type of printed matter. Means and are included.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the calculation means adjusts the color of a specific printing device into a standard color space based on a profile of a color management system, while the light amount is adjusted. The feature is that a combination of values is calculated and adjustment is performed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the calculating means is provided for the printing machine targeted for color matching so that the output device can obtain an output suitable for the printing machine.
One first profile in which a color system value is defined as an output value for an input value of a color or a combination of three basic colors, and a combination of color system values for the output device that reproduces the target color The other first profile that defines the values of four or three basic colors as output values for the input values of, or four for output in the printing machine created based on the two first profiles. While performing color adjustment based on the device link profile that defines the value of the combination of four or three basic colors as the output value for the input value of the combination of colors or three basic colors,
It is characterized in that the combination of the light quantity values is calculated and adjusted.

Further, the invention according to claim 15 has halftone dot image data creating means for creating each color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors. An image processing apparatus for transferring point image data to an output device in a frame-sequential manner and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, wherein density of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan is used. A storage unit that stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship between a value and each light amount of the plurality of lights, and a calculation that calculates each light amount of the plurality of lights based on the halftone image data while referring to the table. Means and transfer control means for transferring each light quantity value calculated by the calculating means to the output device and promoting exposure based on each light quantity value.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, based on halftone dot image data of each color separation half original, a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on the light-sensitive material, and the plurality of light spots are exposed. An output device for outputting a color proof obtained by coloring each color dot, based on each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the halftone dot of the halftone dot image data, Calculating means for calculating a combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted, and control means for controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light to be exposed based on the combination of the respective light amount values calculated by the calculating means. It is characterized by that.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output device which adjusts each exposure amount of a plurality of lights of an exposure unit on the basis of image data composed of a plurality of colors.
While referring to the table based on the halftone dot image data, a storage unit that stores a table that defines the correspondence relationship between the density values of the three basic colors of magenta and cyan and the light amounts of the plurality of lights. A control unit that calculates each light amount of the plurality of lights and adjusts and controls the exposure amount from the exposure unit.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, based on the halftone dot image data of each color separation half original, a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on the light-sensitive material, and the plurality of light spots are exposed. A color proof creating method for creating a color proof by coloring each dot of a color, wherein the plurality of light rays are generated in accordance with each density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of the halftone dot image data. It is characterized by including an adjustment step of adjusting the light amount by changing the combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted.

The invention according to claim 19 is characterized by further comprising a step of performing color adjustment with a calibration LUT.

The invention according to claim 20 is characterized by further comprising a step of performing color adjustment with a dot gain LUT.

The invention according to claim 21 is the ICC.
(International Color Cons
The present invention is characterized by further including a step of performing color adjustment with a profile that stores values of a color system corresponding to a combination of basic colors of the output device in a color management system standardly defined by the Ortium).

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a combination of four or three basic colors is applied to a printing machine which is a target of color matching so that an output device can obtain an output suitable for the printing machine. One of the first profiles in which color system values are defined as output values for the input values, and four colors as output values for the input values of the combination of color system values for the output device that reproduces the target color Alternatively, the other first profile defining the values of the three basic colors, or a combination of four or three basic colors for output by the printing machine, which is created based on the two first profiles Further comprising a step of performing color adjustment using a device link profile that defines a value of a combination of four or three basic colors as an output value with respect to an input value of There.

Further, the invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that, in the adjusting step, a combination of respective light amount values is adjusted based on the values of the color system.

Further, the invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that, in the adjusting step, a combination of light amount values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined in the L * a * b * color space. I am trying.

Further, the invention according to claim 25 is characterized in that, in the adjusting step, a combination of respective light quantity values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined in the X, Y, Z color spaces. There is.

In a twenty-sixth aspect, a program for causing a computer to execute any of the above-described color proof making methods is defined, and in a twenty-seventh aspect, a computer-readable information recording medium recording the program. Is defined.

Further, the invention according to claim 28 has halftone dot image data creating means for creating each color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors. An information recording medium in which a program for transferring point image data to an output device in a frame-sequential manner and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, and including three programs of yellow, magenta, and cyan. Table information that defines the correspondence relationship between the density value of the basic color and each light amount of the plurality of lights, and processing for calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights based on the halftone image data while referring to the table And information for performing a process of transferring each calculated light amount value to the output device and performing exposure based on each light amount value.

Further, the invention according to claim 29 has a halftone dot image data creating means for creating each halftone dot image data which is color-separated based on the image data composed of a plurality of colors. An information recording medium in which a program for transferring point image data to an output device in a frame-sequential manner and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, and which is a color space of a color system L Based on the table information defining the correspondence between the * a * b * values and the respective light amounts of the plurality of lights, and the halftone image data, the respective light amounts of the plurality of lights are calculated with reference to the table. It is characterized by including information for performing processing and information for performing processing for transferring each calculated light amount value to the output device and promoting exposure based on each light amount value.

Further, the invention according to claim 30 has halftone dot image data creating means for creating each color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors. An XYZ which is an information recording medium in which a program for transferring point image data to an output device in a frame sequential manner and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof, and which is a color space of a color system. Table information defining the correspondence between the values and the respective light quantities of the plurality of lights, and information for performing a process of calculating the respective light quantities of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data. , Information for transferring each calculated light amount value to the output device and performing a process for promoting exposure based on each light amount value.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the invention, based on the halftone dot image data of each color separation half original, a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on the light-sensitive material, and the plurality of light spots are exposed. An information recording medium recording a program for performing a process of outputting a color proof obtained by developing each color dot, wherein each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the halftone dot of the halftone dot image data is On the basis of the information for performing the process of calculating the combination of the respective light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights and the combination of the respective light amount values calculated by the calculating means, the exposure of the plurality of lights to be exposed. It is characterized by including information for performing processing for controlling the amount.

The thirty-second aspect of the present invention is an information recording medium recording a program for performing a process of adjusting each exposure amount of a plurality of lights of an exposure section based on image data composed of a plurality of colors. Therefore, the table is referred to based on the table information defining the correspondence relationship between the density values of the three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan and the light amounts of the plurality of lights, and the halftone image data. However, it is characterized in that it includes information for calculating each light quantity of the plurality of lights and performing processing for adjusting and controlling the exposure quantity from the exposure unit.

[0046]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] (Overall Configuration of System) First, the feature of the present invention is to output a solid chart with different light amounts to obtain an optimum combination of solid light amounts for each target. The optimum solid density can be reproduced for each target by switching the table immediately before output or transferring from the image processing apparatus.

Prior to the description of the configuration of the table or the like for calculating the combination of the respective light amount values, which is the feature of the present invention, the overall schematic configuration of the color proof making system in the field of desktop publishing will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a color proof creating system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color proof making system 1 of the present embodiment has a function of image editing for generating a plurality of image data such as three image data connected to a network 3 constituted by a LAN or the like. Upstream terminal devices 2A, 2B, and 2C having the same, a plurality of image processing devices 10 (10A, 10B) having an image output control function, which are also connected to the network 3, and each image processing device 10.
A plurality of output devices 20 (20A, 20B) each connected to (10A, 10B) are included. The image processing device 10 is preferably formed by a computer such as a server, and the output device 20 (20A, 20A,
20B) uses a DCP (Digital Color Proof) making device.

The density value-light quantity value conversion table, which is a feature of the present invention, is premised on the image processing apparatus 10. However, even if the output apparatus 20 is provided alone, the image processing is performed. It may be provided in each of the device 10 and the output device 20 (the contents of the table will be described later). At that time, although not shown in this example, for example,
In the case where a plurality of output devices 20 of different types (models) are connected to one image processing device 10,
1 for each table corresponding to each output device 20
It goes without saying that the image processing apparatus 10 of one table may be provided.

Each of the upstream terminal devices 2A, 2B and 2C operates as a computer terminal device, and the upstream terminal devices 2A, 2B and 2C can have various hardware configurations depending on the system configuration. Although not shown in the figure because it is complicated in this example, a computer main body having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a display such as a CRT connected thereto, a mouse, a keyboard, a digitizer, an FDD device, and An input device for image generation such as a hard disk or an image scanner is provided.

The image processing apparatus 10, as shown in FIG.
The image data of the image edit file edited by the upstream terminal 2 is transmitted through the network 3 or an external input / output device such as an FDD to the RIP (Raster Image).
The image data is output to the output device 20 by transferring each halftone image data to the output device 20 while developing the raster data by an image processor or the like, and performing color separation to generate each color data (halftone image data). It has become.

The image processing apparatus 10 (10A, 10A,
B) is also provided with an input device such as a computer main body, a display unit, and a keyboard, and receives image data and outputs the output device 20 (20
A, 20B), the operation program for outputting the job to the A, 20B) and processing the job at the time of failure is incorporated. Although not shown because it is complicated to understand the present invention, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a color scanner for reading an image original, a mount input device for reading the mount information, and a comparison, if necessary. A galley printer or the like for performing galley printing with extremely low image quality may be connected.

The output device 20 forms an image on a printing paper by the halftone image data transferred from the image processing device 10 to create a color proof. The output device 20 can be composed of an image forming device such as a color proofer using a laser exposure method.

As a result, the image data is transferred from the image processing device 10 to the output device 20 through the network 3,
A color proof can be formed by drawing image data of each color on a base material which is a recording material (output medium: output paper or the like).

Here, the image processing apparatus 10 is equipped with software including various tables for controlling solid density adjustment of basic colors and the like, and a combination of light quantity values of different wavelengths depending on the change of the target. By automatically setting, it is possible to create a color proof with the correct color tone.

(Regarding image processing device and output device) FIG.
Discloses an example of a specific configuration of the image processing device 10 and the output device 20.

The image processing apparatus 10 functions as a controller for controlling the output apparatus 20, and as shown in FIG. 2, an input unit 11 which is an input interface to which image data of an image edit file edited from the outside is input. , A halftone dot image data creating unit 12 for performing a process of expanding the image data input by the input unit 11 into raster image data and performing color separation to generate halftone dot image data that is each color plate data; And a storage unit 17 such as a hard disk for storing parameter setting conditions, the halftone image data from the halftone image data creation unit 12, and the storage unit 17
Measurement table (density-light amount correlation table) 17a of
The adjustment calculation processing unit 13 that calculates the combination of the light amount values and performs solid adjustment based on the above, the light amount value in the adjustment calculation processing unit 13, and the halftone image data from the halftone image data creation unit 12 A transfer control unit 14 that is an output interface that outputs in the plane order of 1, C, M, Y, K, and the like, and controls transfer to the output device 20, and an operation unit 16 that inputs setting operation such as various information and setting conditions. , A display unit 15 including a CRT or a liquid crystal panel for displaying a screen for setting various setting parameters such as various LUTs, an external input / output device 18 such as an FDD, a halftone image data creation unit 12, and an adjustment calculation processing unit 13. , An output unit 14, an operation unit 16, a storage unit 17, a display unit 15, and a control unit 19 including a CPU for controlling the external input / output device 18, respectively.

The "control unit 19" and the "adjustment calculation processing unit" of the present embodiment are used as "calculation means" in the present invention.
Can be configured. The calculating means calculates an optimum combination of light amount values to be emitted by a plurality of lights, based on at least density values of respective components of the spot color corresponding to the halftone dots of the spot image data of the spot color.

Further, the "transfer control section" of the present embodiment corresponds to the "transfer control means" of the present invention, and the "halftone image data creation section" of the present embodiment is the "halftone dot" of the present invention. Image data creating means ". Further, the "storage unit 17" of the present embodiment corresponds to the "storing unit" according to the present invention.

The image processing apparatus 10 develops the edited image file transferred from the upstream terminal 2 into image data such as raster data, and based on the image data if it has not been separated yet. Predetermined color Y,
A color separation process for color separation of M, C, K, and the special color is performed, and the transfer control operation is performed for each of the color-separated data toward the output device 20.

The input section 11 includes an image such as a page description language (PDL) including color information of an image edit file from the upstream terminal 2 for editing for comprehensively integrating and editing images such as characters and pictures. Data is entered. As the image data, for example, in addition to the data described in the page description language such as PS / EPS / PDF, the TIF
It also includes general-purpose format data such as F and TIFF / IT, data handled by major manufacturers as proprietary formats, and various other types of data.

The halftone dot image data creating unit 12 uses the storage unit 17 including a spool buffer and the like to convert the input data, such as PDL data, to a predetermined image output condition (eg, halftone dot shape, halftone angle, The raster image data, which is binary image data, is developed in accordance with the number of screen lines, the gamma characteristic of the photosensitive material, the characteristic of the developing device, etc., and at the same time, color separation is performed to generate halftone image data.

The transfer control unit 14 performs processing such as transfer control of the developed and separated image data on the output device 20. As a result, the raster image format Y, M,
The C and K image data are generated in order (plane sequential) for each color.

Then, the image data for electronic plate making is reproduced by a set of halftone dots having the same screen frequency as the printed matter, and the pixel gain amount is approximated to that of the printed matter and reproduced. As a result, the printed dot image is faithfully reproduced. Here, halftone dots are fine dots made by plate making with a screen for reproducing photographs and illustrations with continuous gradation as printed matter, and it is possible to visually perceive dark and light by the collection of fine dots. It was used.

The storage unit 17 stores a specific paper, a specific ink, and a specific ink necessary for the process of adjusting the solid density of the basic color.
Each of the basic color components Dc, D obtained by measuring the density of the special color patch using the specific output device 20.
A measurement table (density-light quantity correlation table) 17a that defines the correlation between the density values of m and Dy and the RGB light quantity values corresponding to each density value and the correlation, and the measurement table 17a is used to perform extraction. A processing program and the like for calculating the corresponding light amount from the obtained density value is stored as a file in a specific directory.

In the measurement table 17a, a person having a specific authority can update or set the contents of conditions (version upgrade etc.) newly.

Furthermore, it is preferable to prepare a plurality of measurement tables according to the specific paper type, ink type, and printing condition. Further, it is needless to say that a measurement table for spot colors and a processing program for calculating the light amount value may be prepared like the measurement table.

In addition, the storage unit 17 is a work for temporarily storing the entire control program and font data, a control program for color-separation processing (spot color separation), the progress of processing, and the like. Memory, page description language (PDL data) such as Postscript (PS)
PS file memory that stores graphic file data including the color data described in 1., color table memory that extracts and stores data of all colors from the files of the PS file memory, separation of each color that has been special color separated It includes various memory areas, such as a color separation file memory for storing each file.

The operation section 16 also serves as the display section 15, and can be set by inputting it with an input key or the like as an operation input means. For example, a parameter set by pressing a save button or the like is stored in the storage section 17. Can be stored in.

The display section 15 is a display means for displaying the status of the output device 20 and various information, and also a display operation means for inputting information for various settings and operations. The parameters set on the operation unit 16 and the display unit 15 include, for example, various LUTs.

As the output setting information, in the case of the image processing apparatus 10, output resolution, halftone dot information, positive / negative setting,
Rotation necessity, various table information for various color adjustments, etc.
In the case of the output device 20, it is exposure table information, an error log, and the like.

The control unit 19 controls the output unit 2 from the storage unit 17.
Various kinds of information set and stored for 0 are read out and set in the halftone image data creation section 12, and are displayed on the display section 15, and the halftone image data creation section 12 is controlled based on the various information.

In the above-mentioned structure, in addition to the transfer of the halftone dot image data between the image processing device 10 and the output device 20, control information (a transfer instruction of the color photosensitive material, an exposure start / exposure start /
Communication such as cancellation instructions and responses to them may be performed. In this case, the control information is communicated via the transfer control unit 14. In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of transfer control functions in the transfer control unit 14 independently transfer control such as relay of control information and transfer of halftone image data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the output device 20 receives from the image processing device 10, for example, special 1 (special color 1), C, M, Y, and so on.
Based on the halftone image data transferred in the order of K, it is converted into an exposure format for each number of scanning lines (one main scanning),
From the converted halftone dot image data, pixel data consisting of all the data for one color of Y, M, C, and BK is read out in the exposure format for each number of scanning lines, and the data of all colors are simultaneously read (dot sequential). ), An exposure unit 23 that performs laser exposure, an output unit 24 that develops the sheet from the exposure unit 23, and outputs a printing sheet on which a color image is formed as a color proof, and a data buffer. An information temporary storage unit 21, a storage unit 25, a setting unit 26, and a control unit 22 that controls the exposure unit 23 and the output unit 24 are provided.

The "control section 22" of this embodiment corresponds to the "control means" of the present invention. This control means
Based on a table that defines the correspondence between the reference color for printing and the intensity composition of the light from the light source that exposes the light-sensitive material, the exposure amount is controlled, the color density of the light-sensitive material is changed, and the density is adjusted and controlled.

The information temporary storage unit 21 is used for the image processing apparatus 10.
The halftone dot image data generated in step S1 and transferred frame by frame for each color is temporarily stored in a predetermined area. Further, the control unit 22 converts the halftone dot image data converted into the exposure format for each scanning line number (one main scanning) into Y, M, C, and
One BK color is temporarily stored in another predetermined area.

The control section 22 reads out pixel data consisting of all data of Y, M, C and BK in the exposure format for each number of scanning lines, and outputs all color data simultaneously (dot-sequentially). The exposure unit 23 is controlled to expose an image on the photosensitive material.

In the output device 10 of the present embodiment, a roll-shaped silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is set as a light-sensitive material, cut into a sheet, and the laser is used according to the rearranged halftone image data. Expose with light.

The output section 24 carries out development processing in the development processing section included in the output section 24 to create a color proof.

In the optical system (not shown) in the exposure section 23, a red laser light source and a green laser light source (HeN) are used.
e), it is preferable to configure an infrared laser light source or the like.
At this time, the green laser light source generates a green laser beam to expose the magenta coloring layer (M layer) of the photosensitive material, and the red laser light source generates a red laser beam to generate a cyan coloring layer (C layer) of the photosensitive material. ) And the infrared laser light source
An infrared laser beam is generated to expose the yellow color forming layer (Y layer) of the photosensitive material. This light-sensitive material is composed of a normal color photographic paper having a blue light-sensitive yellow color developing layer (Y layer), a green light sensitive magenta color developing layer (M layer), and a red light sensitive cyan color developing layer (C).
Layer), the blue-sensitive yellow color-developing layer (Y layer) in which the blue-sensitivity is shifted to infrared-sensitivity to form an infrared-sensitive yellow color-developing layer.

Further, the number of colors in the optical system is not limited to 3, and for example, a blue laser diode, a red laser diode, a first infrared laser diode (oscillation wavelengths 760 to 760).
880 nm) and a second far-infrared laser diode (oscillation wavelength of 900 nm or more) in four colors.

The green laser light source, the red laser light source, and the infrared laser light source are adapted to be light quantity modulated in accordance with a modulation signal, and generate laser beams of three wavelengths of green G, red R, and infrared IR, respectively. Then, the CMY layer of the photosensitive material is exposed.

The LUT section in the storage section 25 stores the reference colors for printing, that is, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and BK (black), and the light from the light source that exposes these reference colors on the photosensitive material. That is, LU that defines the correspondence with the intensity composition of B (blue), R (red), and IR (infrared)
It stores T (look-up table) data (which is a color channel table) 25a. This color channel table, which will be described in detail later, includes an LUT and the like corresponding to basic colors.

As the reference colors, four colors of Y, M, C, and BK, which are the primary colors for printing a normal color image, and three primary colors of Y, M, and C, which are the additive primary colors, are used. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, five or more colors obtained by adding one or a plurality of special colors to four colors of Y, M, C, and BK which are primary colors of printing. In addition, Y is yellow (yellow),
M is magenta, C is cyan, BK is black (black), B is blue (blue), G is green (green), and R is red (red).

In addition, in order to improve color reproducibility, a special color ink other than YMCK, a so-called "spot color" ink may be used depending on the printed matter. This special color ink plate is called a "special color plate". As special color ink,
In addition to green and orange inks, various inks such as gold, silver and other metallic color inks are used. Further, the special color ink may not have a uniform density, and a glitter or a mixture of gold powder may be used. The special color plate is often used in the case of reproducing an image part such as a logo that is designated to be a special color in advance, or in the case where the color reproducibility of a color image is desired to be improved by printing with a special color ink.

The LUT described above may be provided in the storage unit 17 on the image processing apparatus 10 side, and whether the LUT is provided on the output apparatus 20 side or the image processing apparatus 10 side, it is preferable that the LUT can be set and updated. . Then, the Y, M, and M of the exposure format sent by the LUT on the output device 20 side are transmitted.
The C, K digital halftone image data is converted into B, R, G exposure intensity data.

At this time, for each pixel, Y, M, C,
The BK halftone image data is converted into a combination of B, R, and G laser intensities.

The halftone dot image data of each color (Y, M, C, BK) created by the halftone dot image data generation unit 12 is temporarily stored in the information temporary storage unit 21.
While accumulating fluctuations in transfer rate in the information temporary storage unit 21, data is read out simultaneously for all colors by a dot clock or the like and sent to the storage unit 25 including the LUT.

On the other hand, when the solid adjustment or the like is performed, the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 performs the adjustment processing, and the control information such as each exposure value extracted at this time is stored in the storage unit 25 also including the LUT. Then, the exposure value and the like are updated. Then, the color channel table 25a in which solid adjustment and the like are reflected
Based on the above, simultaneous exposure for all colors is performed.

At this time, the green laser light source, the red laser light source, and the infrared laser light source are the LUT of the set channel.
The light is emitted based on the data of (1) to expose an image having a color corresponding to the color of the ink at the time of printing and / or the color of the printing paper.

Further, the CPU of the control unit 22 controls the optical unit based on the information on the tip position of the photosensitive material from the sensors and the count of the pulse signal from the rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the position of the drum. The control unit 22 determines whether or not the image recording area of the photosensitive material exists at the irradiation position of the emitted laser light, and the control unit 22 determines based on this determination.
During the period when the image recording area of the photosensitive material exists at the irradiation position of the laser light, the exposure intensity data input to the driver that drives each laser light source of each laser diode is always an exposure intensity data value sufficient to cause the laser diode to emit light. The LUT data to be converted into the above exposure intensity data values is controlled so as to be set.

As a result, the laser diode of the laser light source always emits light while the image recording area of the photosensitive material is present at the laser light irradiation position, resulting in good responsiveness. In this way, a halftone image is output on the photosensitive material held on the drum. The configuration and operation of the other output device 20B are similar to those of the output device 20A.

The image recording density of the image recorded on the light-sensitive material is 600 dpi or more (particularly 1000 dpi or more, further 1200 dpi or more) in both the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction from the viewpoint of the gradation reproducibility by the halftone dot image. From the viewpoint of saturation of gradation reproducibility by halftone image, image recording speed, device cost, etc., 10,000 dpi or less (particularly 5000 dpi or less) is preferable in both the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. The image recording densities in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are dp indicating how many pixels are image-recorded in the length of 1 inch in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction.
It is shown in units of i.

Further, it is preferable that one halftone dot is recorded from 100 or more (particularly 200 or more) pixels so that reproduction can be made close to an actual printing halftone dot. Further, it is preferable that one halftone dot is recorded from pixels of 5000 or less (particularly 2000 or less) so that the image data can be easily handled and the image data can be processed at high speed.

The number of recorded pixels of each color of exposure light per second is 3 million pixels / second or more (particularly 10 million pixels / second).
Seconds or more) is preferable. This makes it possible to achieve both high-speed image recording and high-definition image recording. The number of recorded pixels of each color of exposure light per second is preferably 4 billion pixels or less (particularly 500 million pixels or less). As a result, the drive circuit is stable, image recording is stable, the exposure intensity and the exposure position are stable, the cost is low, and the adjustment is easy.

Further, the control unit 22 of the output device 20 detects, for example, the exposure amount information set in the output device 20. The control unit 19 of the image processing apparatus 10 detects the exposure amount information by the signal from the control unit 22, and based on these detections, the transfer control unit 1 of the image processing apparatus 10.
It is also possible to change the exposure amount information and the like from 4.

As described above, in producing a color printed matter, the halftone image data producing unit 12 is used before producing the image data in the raster image format from the digital image data described in various formats and producing the printing plate. Raster image format image data is generated from the digital image data, and the storage unit 17 is used to rearrange the image data into a format compatible with the output device 20,
By storing an image based on this rearranged image data, a color proof that simulates an image obtained by printing with a printing plate created from digital image data described in various formats is created, and a digital proof is created. It is possible to check in advance whether or not there is an error in the image indicated by the image data, such as whether there is an error in the layout, color, characters, etc., and to confirm the finish of the printed matter in advance.

The PDL data including the color information output from the upstream terminal 2 for editing is C, M, Y, K,
In the case of the already separated data of 4 (5) pages (or special 1) (hereinafter, also referred to as already separated data, if necessary), the halftone image data creation unit 12
Then, the mode that does not separate the processing mode (non-separation mode)
It is also possible to perform raster image processing and output the raster image data for the 5th edition of CMYK special 1.

On the other hand, PDL data or the like including color information output from the upstream terminal 2 for editing is a description of one page, which has not been separated yet (hereinafter also referred to as unseparated data if necessary). .), The halftone image data creating unit 12 performs raster image processing as a mode for separating the processing mode (separation mode) and outputs raster image data.

As described above, even if the color separation processing for separating (decomposing) the image data in which YMCK is mixed into each data is executed by the upstream terminal 2 for editing, the halftone image data generation unit 12 may be performed. That is, the image data is generally one data file in which process colors (CMYK) and spot colors are mixed, but in some cases, each color plate is passed as separate data, or only spot color data is sent. It may be delivered as a separate data file, and when each color plate is delivered as separate data, the plate separation process in the halftone image data creation unit 12 is omitted.

The image processing apparatus 1 having the above-mentioned configuration
At 0, when the user makes various designations on the display unit 15 using means such as a mouse and a keyboard for the image processing apparatus 10, the designation input information is stored in the storage unit 17.

Next, with such preparation, the input unit 1
The page description language (PDL data) including color information is started to be fetched from the upstream terminal 2 via 1 and it is determined whether or not the supply of PDL data is completed.

The image data, which is the multi-value gradation data described in various page description languages and the like, which has been edited and transferred by the external upstream terminal 2 and transferred by the halftone dot image data creation unit 12 or the like. Development separation is performed to generate a color separation file (halftone dot image data) necessary for creating one color proof, and generate pixels of binary halftone dot image data.

That is, since the image data is data that can be reproduced by printing, the information regarding the colors is naturally described by the colors used for printing. Therefore, when the print colors are the process colors Y, M, C, and K and the special colors 1 and 2, the description about the color of the image data is described only with these 6 colors, and the raster image data obtained from this Has color information of these 6 colors.

In the normal RIP processing, monochromatic raster format gradation data for each color plate is output for the number of colors, but data of a format in which each color gradation value is arranged for each pixel may be used. In any of the formats, the color value of a pixel in the input raster image data is a vector value and the gradation value =
It is preferable to express as (C, M, Y, K, special 1, special 2). Each vector component is a numerical value (halftone dot%) of 0 to 100 with solid being 100 and white being 0.

At this time, if there is no other instruction, the control section 19 defaults to the halftone image data creation section 1
2 is set to the color separation processing mode.

When the transferred PDL data including color information is data that has undergone color separation, the halftone image data creation unit 12 is set in the color separation mode in advance and raster image processing is started to perform color separation. If the data is not processed, the halftone image data processing unit 12 is set to the non-separation mode, and the PDL data including color information is processed by the halftone image data creation unit 12 into a raster image in the separation process. I am trying to process it.

By controlling in this way, if the transferred PDL data is not color-separated, the halftone image data generation unit 12 is set to the color-separation mode,
By continuing the processing as it is, as a result, the desired 4
The raster image data for the plate is obtained.

As a result, as a result, the color separation / non-color separation processing mode in the upstream terminal 2 for editing and the color separation / non-color separation processing mode in the halftone image data processing unit are appropriately selected, and the color separation processing is performed. Is executed by either the editing PC 2 or the halftone image data creation unit 12.

A file written in a page description language (hereinafter, also referred to as a PS file) can handle data including a mixture of characters, photographs, figures, etc. in a unified manner, and is written in such a page description language. When printing graphic data and the like in multicolor printing, a color separation file (including spot color separation) is generated for each color. Specifically, from the PS file containing figure data written in the page description language, data of all the colors used are analyzed, and based on this color data, the color of each color separation file is analyzed. Generate version data.

Then, the transfer control section 14 transfers the data to the output device 20, and the output device 20 receives the color plate data from the image processing device 10 in a frame order in a predetermined order.

The halftone image data generated by the image processing apparatus 10 and transferred in the frame sequential manner for each color is output by the output apparatus 2.
0, the information is converted into an exposure format for each number of scanning lines (one main scanning), and the information temporary storage unit 2 of the output device 20 is converted.
1 is stored in a predetermined area.

At this time, the frame-sequential halftone dot image data (data separated into Y, M, C, and BK corresponding to the printing plate) are arranged in the data of one scanning of the plurality of beams of the exposure unit 23. Sorted and converted.

Then, the halftone dot image data converted into the exposure format for each scanning line number (one main scanning) is converted into Y,
After accumulating one M, C, BK all screens (one dot of halftone image data required to create one color proof), Y, M, C, BK Read out the pixel data in the exposure format for each number of scanning lines,
Output all color data simultaneously (dot-sequentially).

The control section 22 receives the input Y, M, C, B
The number of pixels of halftone dots is counted based on the image data obtained by converting the pixel data consisting of all the data of K into the exposure format for each number of scanning lines, and this count is, for example, one halftone dot image for one line or one page. This is continuously performed for data pixels.

The number of dots in the main scanning direction and the number of dots (the number of lines) in the sub-scanning direction for the halftone image data.
Is calculated and the image size is calculated with reference to the counted value, and the control unit 22 controls the exposure unit 23 to expose the image on the photosensitive material.

In the output device 20, a roll-shaped silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material is set as a light-sensitive material, cut into a sheet, and then a laser is used in the exposure section 23 according to the rearranged halftone image data. It is exposed to light and then developed in a developing section included in the output section 24 to create a color proof.

(Characteristic Configuration of the Present Embodiment) Here, the characteristic feature of the present embodiment, that is, the specific configuration of the measurement table and the like will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a part of the details of the image processing apparatus.

In the storage unit 17, the density (Dc, Dm, Dy) and the light amount (R, obtained by previously measuring the solid density value of the solid density of the basic color of the printing paper are measured by a densitometer.
G, B) is defined to include a measurement table (density (Dc, Dm, Dy) -light amount (R, G, B) correlation table) 17a.

Further, in the storage unit 17, a color channel (color correction) color correction LU in which the exposure amount of each light solid-adjusted with respect to the basic color is defined for each printing reference color.
T17b and each basic color (process color: C, M, Y,
K), a dot gain correction LUT 17c for performing a dot gain correction, and a calibration correction LUT for performing a calibration correction for each basic color.
17d and ICC (International Co
IC standardized by the Lor Consortium)
ICC profile color correction information storage means 17e that stores color correction information about the C profile, and I that stores color correction information about the ICC device link profile.
CC device link profile color correction information storage means 1
7f and are included.

The adjustment calculation processing unit 13 is a calculation unit for calculating the light amount value calculation unit 1 for calculating a combination of light amount values for solid adjustment based on the basic color measurement table 17a.
3a and the dot gain correction LUT 17c, the dot gain correction calculation processing means 13b for calculating the dot gain correction of the halftone dot image data, and the calibration correction LUT 17d for calibration correction of the halftone image data. A calibration correction calculation processing means 13c for performing calculation processing, an ICC profile color correction calculation processing means 13d for performing calculation processing for ICC profile color correction based on information in the ICC profile color correction information storage means 17e, and an ICC device link profile. Based on the information in the color correction information storage means 17f, I
ICC device link profile color correction arithmetic processing means 13e for performing arithmetic processing of CC device link profile color correction, and arithmetic procedure control means 13 for controlling so as to perform only the arithmetic operation sequence of these correction arithmetic operations and necessary correction arithmetic operations.
f and are included.

In addition, the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 may also, for example, based on the combination of the light amount values calculated by the light amount value calculation processing unit 13a, for example, the solid color of the basic color (the mesh 100).
%), Information about the color channel color correction LUT 17b defining the combination of the light amount values for each reference color is transferred to the output device 20, and the LUT set by the output device 20 by default is used as the LUT 17b. It may also include processing means for urging the processing to replace the information with.

At this time, the processing means is the LU of the output device 20.
A determination unit that acquires the T information and determines whether or not the image processing apparatus 10 side needs to replace the information may be provided.

Here, the "dot gain correction calculation processing means" and the "calculation procedure control means" of this embodiment can constitute the "adjustment calculation means" of the present invention. The adjustment calculation means sets the basic color to the halftone dot area ratio corresponding to the type of printed matter based on the dot gain LUT which defines the halftone dot area ratio of the halftone dot image data to the halftone dot area ratio of the printed halftone dots. The adjustment is performed by calculating the combination of the light amount values while correcting the fluctuation.

Further, the "calibration correction calculation processing means" and the "calculation procedure control means" of the present embodiment can constitute "adjustment calculation means" according to another aspect of the present invention. This adjustment calculation means is the calibration L
Based on the UT, the basic color is color-corrected and the combination of the light amount values is calculated and adjusted.

The display unit 15 has, for example, a measurement table 17
First setting means 1 for setting and inputting information about a
5a, second setting means 15b for setting and inputting information on the color channel color correction LUT 17b by the basic color (process color), and setting and inputting information on the dot gain correction LUT 17c for the basic color (process color). Third setting means 15c, fourth setting means 15d for setting and inputting information about the basic color calibration correction LUT 17d, and fifth setting means 15e for setting and inputting information about ICC profile color correction. , Sixth setting means 15 for setting and inputting information about ICC device link profile
f and are included.

In addition to the above, the display unit 15 preferably has setting means (not shown) for setting the output condition according to the form of the output medium, the print condition, and the ink type. At this time, the “control unit”, “measurement table”, and
The “light quantity value calculation processing means” can constitute the “extraction means” in the present invention. The extraction means extracts the light amount value according to the output condition set by the setting means.

Here, the measurement table 17a specifically has the structure shown in FIG.
25 is a table defining the relationship between .about.255 and the measured density value (CMY). The measured density value is C filter density value D
c, M filter density value Dm, Y filter density value Dy
As the density value when passing through, the light amount value is set to 5 steps in 1 step and 52 steps, for example, (R, G, B) (255,
If you go to 0, 0), then (0, 5, 0) to (25
5, 5, 0) and (255, 255, 2
55) is repeated until 52 × 52 × 52 = 14.
It is a value obtained by measuring all 0608 patterns.

That is, the table is prepared in advance by measuring the concentration of the target with a measuring means such as a densitometer. Examples of the measuring means for measuring the concentration include a densitometer. The densitometer detects the value of V (omitted), the value of DC, the value of DM, and the value of DY. Data is input to this densitometer by connecting it to a PC or the like via RS232C. These are formed in advance and mounted in the storage unit 17.

Thus, using the above table, the measured value (R, which is the closest to the density value (Dc, Dm, Dy))
The combination of G and B) is searched for and selected, and adjustment is performed by calculating the corresponding light amount value.

In addition, it is preferable to prepare various measurement tables for each basic color according to the type of printing paper or ink, printing conditions, and the like.

In the present embodiment, only 5 steps are given as an example, but it is possible to make the steps even finer. When the measurement value of the minimum resolution of the densitometer is used,
R becomes 0, 1, 2, ..., 256 × 256
A pattern of × 256 can be formed.

(Color Channel) Next, FIG. 5 discloses an example of the structure of the color channel color correction LUT (color channel table).

The color channel color correction LUT 17b is
The result is as shown in FIG. Here, the reference color is
As a combination, Y, M, C, B, (Y + M) R,
It has 16 patterns of (M + C) B, ... That is,
In the arrangement of halftone dots, there are 16 possible combinations when a certain halftone dot overlaps another halftone dot having a different angle.

Then, the image processing apparatus 10 refers to the table, calculates the standard value of each table from the above calculation, and sets the standard value.

Here, the color channels, which are these color correction LUTs, are a table of information regarding how strong the exposure is, for example, from 0 to 255 for each color, and a plurality of types of tables are changed. This will change the way colors are reproduced.

Although the exposure amount of the LUT is automatically set, for example, the contents of the LUT can be displayed on the display unit 15 and the contents of the LUT can be arbitrarily changed as needed. I don't care.

The LUT is, for example, a reference color for printing, that is, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), B (blue), G (green), R (red),
BK (black), GY (gray) and W (white)
And light of a light source that exposes the reference color to the photosensitive material, that is, R (red), G (green), B (or IR).
It stores data that defines the correspondence with the intensity composition of (infrared).

Further, since the color tone of the Y, M, C, K inks of the printed matter differs depending on the brand of the ink used for printing, etc., the intensity composition of the lasers R, G, IR corresponding to the reference colors Y to W is changed to the ink composition. Alternatively, it can be set according to the user's preference (color correction), but particularly in this example, it is preferable that the color proof is automatically set according to the characteristics of the output device. . This eliminates the need for detailed settings.

When the color correction is manually set, one channel, for example, channel 1 is displayed on the display unit 15 on the color correction setting screen, for example.
It is preferable to display a screen including the LUT data and the ten keys. The numerical value of the LUT data is a standard value in the default state. On this screen, specific printing conditions, whether solid adjustment is possible, etc. are selected and a desired LUT is displayed. Furthermore, in the LUT, a desired reference color or another reference color may be selected and the intensity composition value of the laser corresponding thereto may be adjusted and changed. Thereby, the output device 20
It is possible to obtain a color tone faithful to the characteristics of the ink, for example, the color of the ink.

When the background color of the printing medium, that is, the background color of the printing paper, is different from the background color of the photosensitive material, it is preferable that the reference color is automatically changed in accordance with the background color. In this way, it is possible to create a color proof that is adapted to the background color of the printing paper in addition to the hue of the ink.

When creating a color proof, a color correction LUT corresponding to the ink and paper used at the time of printing is used.
Therefore, a color correction LUT used for creating a color proof
It is preferable that the channel of (1) is automatically determined.

Further, in the printing machine, so-called dot gain occurs in which printed dots are larger than halftone dots. Dot gain also depends on the ink and printing paper. Therefore, it is preferable that the halftone image data is modified according to the paper of the output device 20 and the setting for applying the dot gain corresponding to the dot gain at the time of printing is automatically performed.

Further, there is provided a table in which numbers having different values are sequentially assigned based on the dot% of each color, and the dot% is automatically set by correlating the information of this table with the setting parameters. Preferably. According to the color code and halftone dot information of this table, a color proof in which desired halftone dots are formed for each corresponding color separation plate is created. By easily changing the angle of halftone dots, the number of halftone dots, or the shape of halftone dots generated in the colored area of this proof, the tone of the original can be reproduced well, or the tone of the original may be different. And make some changes,
It can be partially emphasized.

The image processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration
At 0, the calculation procedure control unit 13f, for example, in the adjustment calculation processing unit 13 follows a procedure for performing corrections such as calculation of light intensity value, dot gain correction, calibration correction, color correction by ICC profile or ICC device link profile. Control each part. Of course, when which correction is to be performed is set by the setting means, control is performed so that only the set correction is performed.

For example, the light quantity value calculation processing means 13a calculates the light quantity corresponding to the density while referring to the measurement table 17a. As described above, this measurement table 17a has the same solid (100% mesh) on the paper depending on the form (art paper, coated paper, fine paper or not) of the print paper of the final print, the type of ink, the printing conditions, and the like. In view of the fact that the densities of the halftone dots of each are different, the densities of the color patches output in advance according to the change in the light amount were measured for one target of these final prints, and the measurement results were tabulated. Therefore, the density adjustment according to the target form of the final printed matter is inevitably reflected. In other words, by exposing with the light amount using this table, it becomes possible to output in the state where the shift of the halftone dot density is corrected.

Since this measurement table is a solid adjustment table for a certain target (for example, art paper), a certain type of ink was used for other coated papers and high-quality papers. It is preferable to prepare each measurement table for solid adjustment in each case, such as when other types of ink are used, or when the printing conditions are held in addition. With this configuration, for example, by setting the print environment condition setting means (not shown) on the display screen, for example, by setting the coated paper, the ink A, etc., the corresponding measurement table is selected, and the selected measurement table is selected. Exposure is performed using the measurement table, so that halftone dots suitable for the target are output.

Returning to FIG. 3, the light quantity value calculation processing means 13a specifically uses, for example, the combination of the respective exposure amounts according to the halftone dots of the halftone dot image data of the spot color plate using the measurement table 17a. The color channel LUT 17b for the spot color is generated based on this exposure amount, and the exposure amount in consideration of the solid adjustment is calculated for the halftone image data.

The state of these color channel LUTs 17b can be confirmed, for example, from the display section 15,
It can also be set by the second setting means 15b if necessary.

Then, according to a predetermined operation instruction, the control information relating to the exposure amount is transferred to the output device 20 via the transfer control unit 14, and the exposure amount information of the color channel table 25a of the storage unit 25 is updated. .

In addition to the solid adjustment, for example, when performing dot gain correction, the dot gain correction calculation processing means 13b performs dot gain correction for halftone image data or light quantity values. This is to correct the variation of the halftone dot area ratio according to the type of printed matter by the dot gain LUT which defines the area ratio of the halftone dots to the area ratio of the printed dots.

As a result, in the halftone dot type color proof printer, the color of each color material of CMYK is close to the printing ink color. Therefore, the difference in dot weight difference (dot gain curve correction) is corrected for each CMYK color. By performing the measurement based on the measurement result of the rate, it is possible to match the color with the printing machine.

When performing the calibration correction, the calibration correction calculation processing means 13c performs the calibration correction on the halftone image data or the light amount value. This is a calibration L that regulates the variation of the color of the halftone dots according to the model of the output device.
Color correction is performed by the UT.

Further, in the case of performing the color correction by the ICC profile, the ICC profile color correction calculation processing means 13d performs the color correction for the halftone image data or the light quantity value.

On the other hand, when performing color correction by the ICC device link profile included in the CMS, the ICC
Device link profile color correction calculation processing means 13d
Thus, color correction is performed on the halftone image data or the light amount value.

The profile is a conversion parameter for converting the color of a specific device (for example, a printing machine or a printer) into the standard color space (L * a * b *) described above. For the profile format, see ICC (Inte
national Color Consortium
It is being standardized internationally by an organization called m).
The color space (L * a * b *) is a chromaticity diagram called CIELAB recommended by CIE, where L * represents lightness, a * represents the degree of red or green, and b * represents yellow or Indicates the degree of blue.

Color management system (hereinafter referred to as "C
Also called "MS". ) Means that when there are multiple printing devices (collectively referred to as “devices”) such as scanners, printing machines, and digital printers, among these devices,
This is a function to achieve output color matching. Normally, when the same image data (for example, CMYK color data) is output by different devices (for example, printing and electrostatic copying), the colors of the actually obtained output products are different. This is because the color description CMYK does not directly describe the color represented by human senses but only the output signal of the device, and CMYK and RGB are, so to speak, “device dependent. It can be called "color". On the other hand, the absolute “color expressed as a human sense” is C
Standard color space defined by IE (International Commission on Illumination) (XY
It can be described by Z or L * a * b *). The function of CMS is that colors such as CMYK and RGB of each device are
The color corresponding to the standard color space is described in advance by description data called a profile (which can be called a conversion parameter used when performing color conversion), and the image is referenced with reference to the profile. By performing color conversion with a different device, an output product of the same color can be obtained with different devices.

In a color management system composed of a scanner, a printer, a personal computer, a display device, etc., a basic ICC profile obtained by data processing by incorporating individual characteristics of the scanner, printer and display device at the time of factory shipment. (Information data containing the characteristics of the device) is housed in the image processing apparatus, and the color matching processing of the entire system is performed.

At this time, the "calculating means" in the present invention is I
CC (International Color Con
The color of a specific printing device is set to a standard color space by a profile that stores colorimetric system values corresponding to the combination of basic colors of the output device in a color management system standardized by While converting and performing color adjustment, a combination of the light amount values is calculated and adjustment is performed.

Further, the device link profile has four colors or three colors for the printing machine which is the target of color matching, so that the output device can obtain the output suitable for the printing machine.
One first profile in which a color system value is defined as an output value with respect to an input value of a combination of basic colors of colors, and an input value of a color system value combination for the output device that reproduces the target color To the other first profile that defines the values of four or three basic colors as output values, or four colors or three for output on the printing machine created based on the two first profiles. The value of a combination of four or three basic colors is defined as an output value with respect to an input value of a combination of basic colors.

Then, the "calculating means" according to the present invention adjusts the color based on the device link profile and calculates the combination of the light amount values for adjustment.

When these various corrections are performed or the solid adjustment is performed by the light amount calculation processing means 13a, the information regarding the combination of the light amount values is sent to the storage unit 25 of the output device 20 via the transfer control unit 14. Transferred. Then, a color channel color correction LUT, which is a new color channel, is generated based on the information on (the combination of) the light intensity values, and a process for replacing the color channel table (LUT) set by default is performed. Then, based on this new color channel table, the exposure section 23 performs an exposure process and then a development process and the like to output a color proof.

Alternatively, when the solid adjustment is performed by the light quantity calculation processing means 13a, the color channel table is a color channel table corresponding to the reference color based on the information on the combination of the light quantities, and the color channel color correction LUT1 in consideration of the solid adjustment.
7b is generated.

Here, this color channel color correction LU
Dot gain correction, calibration correction, or the like may be performed on T17b.

Next, color channel color correction LUT1
Information regarding 7b is output to the output device 2 via the transfer control unit 14.
0 is transferred to the storage unit 25 and is replaced with the LUT set by default.

Then, based on the replaced new color channel color correction LUT 17b, the exposure unit 23
A color proof is output by performing exposure and development processing.

On the other hand, various LUTs for performing various corrections can be changed by the first to sixth setting means 15a to 15f. For example, regarding the dot gain correction LUT, a dot gain curve or the like is displayed on the display unit 15, and when there are a plurality of dot gain correction LUTs, one of the curves is selected, or the curve is freely changed by pinching the curve with a mouse or the like. It is preferable that the change operation setting such as the setting can be performed. The same applies to other corrections. At this time, the display mode does not matter.

(Regarding Processing Procedure) Next, the overall processing procedure of the color proof making system having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

First, solid adjustment calculation processing is performed (step: hereinafter sometimes referred to as "S": 101). In this step, a combination of the exposure values (R, G, B) corresponding to the gradation density of each basic color component of the halftone dot is extracted. Then, based on the combination of each exposure value, a color correction color correction LUT which is a new color channel table.
Is generated.

Next, a determination process is performed as to whether or not there is any other correction (S102). In this determination process, if it is determined that there is no other correction, it is output without any other correction (S103). That is, the exposure process is performed based on the color correction color correction LUT only in consideration of the solid adjustment.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of S102 that there is another correction, for example, a determination process of whether or not calibration correction is set is performed (S104). In this determination process, when it is determined that the calibration correction is set, the calibration correction calculation process is performed (S105).

On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination processing of S104 that the calibration correction is not set, or if the processing of S105 is completed, it is determined whether the dot gain correction is set. Processing is performed (S106). In this determination process, when it is determined that the dot gain correction is set, the dot gain correction calculation process is performed (S10).
7).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the dot gain correction is not set in the determination processing of S106, or if the calculation processing of the dot gain correction of S107 is completed, the color correction by the ICC profile is set. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (S10).
8). In this determination process, when it is determined that the color correction based on the ICC profile is set,
A color correction calculation process based on the ICC profile is performed (S109).

On the other hand, in the determination processing of S108, the IC
When it is determined that the color correction by the C profile is not set, or when the calculation processing of S109 is completed, the determination processing whether or not the color correction by the ICC device link profile is set is performed. This is the case (S110). In this judgment process, IC
When it is determined that the color correction based on the C device link profile is set, the color correction calculation processing based on the ICC device link profile is performed (S111).

On the other hand, in the determination processing of S110, the IC
When it is determined that the color correction by the C device link profile is not set, or when the calculation processing of S111 is completed, the calculation result by these corrections is output (S112).

In this way, the color channel table is
It is transferred to the output device.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in expressing solid (100% net), it is possible to perform solid adjustment control by changing the combination of light amounts, and by performing solid adjustment, the proof system It is possible to adjust the solid color with the closest color from the color reproduction range, and the color matching accuracy is dramatically improved.

Further, even if the target changes, only by selecting the optimum setting of the solid color, the halftone dot% becomes close to the target, so that a more accurate proof output can be obtained.

As described above, the solid color (100% mesh) could not be controlled, but by changing the combination of the three wavelengths, the solid color can be changed and the exposure can be performed.

Further, it is possible to control the color by the image processing apparatus and to perform color correction processing using, for example, CMS (color management system) and various LUTs such as dot gain and calibration. When reproducing with the color printer for proofreading the color of, the color with the printing machine matches, there is no turbidity in each single color part of CMY,
In addition, each CMY solid color can be output as a solid and reproduced, and errors in the calibration work can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, the measurement table has a density value (C, M, Y) -light quantity value (R,
Although the example using the conversion table of G, B) is disclosed, in the present embodiment, the colorimetric value (L *) which is an example of the color system.
The conversion table of a * b *)-light quantity values (R, G, B) is used.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in the image processing apparatus 10a included in the color proof making system of the present embodiment, the storage unit has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. 17, the colorimetric value (L * a * b *)-
Measurement table 17 which is a light quantity (R, G, B) correlation table
g.

The measurement table 17g has the structure shown in FIG. 8, and defines, for example, the relationship between the light intensity values 0 to 255 and the measured colorimetric values (L *, a *, b *). Is. The measurement colorimetric value is 52 steps in one step of the light intensity value in 5 steps, for example (255, 0, in (R, G, B)).
(0), then (0, 5, 0) to (255,
(5, 0), and similarly (255, 255, 25
5) is repeated until 52 × 52 × 52 = 140.
Measure all 608 ways.

As a result, using the above table, the measured value (R, R *, a *, b *) most approximated to the measured value (R,
The combination of G and B) is searched for and selected, and adjustment is performed by calculating the corresponding light amount value.

As described above, unlike the first embodiment,
By using the colorimetric value instead of the density value, in the case where the medium is different, there is an advantage in that the colorimetric value is more accurate than the density-only control.

On the contrary, when the density value is used, the cost of the densitometer is lower, so that the cost for creating the table can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a part of the image processing apparatus included in the color proof making system according to the present embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as the measurement table, the colorimetric value (L * a * b *)-light quantity value (R, G,
Although the example using the conversion table of B) is disclosed, in the present embodiment, the colorimetric values (X, Y,
Z) -light intensity value (R, G, B) conversion table is used.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, in the image processing apparatus 10b included in the color proof making system of the present embodiment, the storage unit has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. 17 is a measurement table 17h that is a colorimetric value (X, Y, Z) -light amount (R, G, B) correlation table.
Is equipped with.

According to such a configuration, the XYZ values are L
Since it can be calculated from * a * b *, the same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained, and in the case of a different medium, it is possible to obtain a colorimetric value rather than supervision only by the density. There is an advantage that the accuracy is better when managed.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

In the conversion table of the second embodiment, the R, G, and B light quantity values corresponding to L * a * b * are
Although 52 × 52 × 52 steps are prepared, in the present embodiment, R, G corresponding to L * a * b *,
Instead of preparing a large number of light intensity values of B, only L * a * for a specific step divided into a certain block
Prepare the light amount values of R, G, and B corresponding to b *,
The values between are calculated by interpolation processing to reduce the amount of data to be prepared.

That is, in the second embodiment, when measurement is performed, it is necessary to measure 140,000 or more points, but as in the present embodiment, it is decomposed into blocks, and, for example, A method of measuring only 9 × 9 × 9 = 729 points and then calculating is used.

Specifically, L * a * b * -light amount RGB
The LUT is a look-up table for converting the L * a * b * values of the color system into RGB light amount values, and FIG.
Is a three-dimensional input / three-dimensional output LUT,
The points between 3 × 33 × 33 grid points are interpolated and converted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the above three-dimensional input / 3
A method of obtaining the dimension output LUT will be described. For simplicity,
The description will be made assuming that the basic colors are R and G. In addition, R, G,
Each of B has a value of 0 to 255.

First, the measured RGB-L * a * b * L
The R * G * B: 9 * 9 * 9 three-dimensional data of the UT is used to calculate the L * a * b * -RGB LUT. Figure 11
Is a two-dimensional 9 × 9 combination of R and G in RGB (B =
0) is a plot of L * on the vertical axis and a * on the horizontal axis. Although it is actually three-dimensional, it is shown in two dimensions for simplicity.

For this RGB distribution, the target point [L * (0-100) a * (-127-
128) b * (-127 to 128): 33 × 33 × 33
= 35937 each LUT input point], L * a * b * is given as a target value T ′. When the target value T'is in the area surrounded by the grid points a'to d'as shown in FIG. 11, the RG combination (target value T) in the RG coordinate system is the grid point a'to the grid point a '. It is presumed to be within the area surrounded by d. The position of the target value T in the region formed by the grid points a to d is determined by the color system of FIG.
Convergence calculation processing is performed while associating with the coordinate system of. Although the conversion from the coordinate system of FIG. 12 to the color system of FIG. 11 is known, the reverse conversion is very complicated and a good conversion formula is known. This is because it has not been done.

Next, the area S0 formed by the grid points a to d in FIG. 13 is equally divided into four areas S1 to S4. 5
The individual division points e to i are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points e to i into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 14 and are plotted according to the plotted division points e ′ to i ′. Four areas S formed
Which region of 1'-S4 'has the target value T'is determined. When in the area S2 'as shown in FIG. 14, the target value T is S2 corresponding to the area S2' as shown in FIG.
Presumed to be in.

Next, the estimated area S2 is equally divided into S5 to S8. The five division points j to n are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the value corresponding to the division points j to n is set to L * a.
The values when converted to the * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 14, and in which of the four regions S5 ′ to S8 ′ formed by the plotted dividing points j ′ to n ′. Determine if there is a target value T '. When in the area S8 'as shown in FIG. 14, the target value T is in the area S8 as shown in FIG.
It is presumed to be in the area S8 corresponding to 8 '.

Next, the estimated area S8 is equally divided into four areas S9 to S12. The five division points o to s are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points o to s into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 14, and the plotted division points o ′
Which region among the four regions S9 ′ to S12 ′ formed by ˜s ′ has the target value T ′ is obtained. When it is in the area S10 'as shown in FIG. 14, it is estimated that the target value T is in the area S10 corresponding to the area S10' as shown in FIG.

By repeating the above-described division of the region, the lattice gradually becomes smaller and finally converges. Then, the target value T is obtained by averaging the four lattice points or the division points forming the converged area, and thus the combination of the basic colors indicating the output colors to be obtained can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the method based on the convergence calculation as described above is described.
An interpolation method as described in the specification of 895086 may be used.

Here, when the target value T'is outside the color reproduction range formed by the vertices W ', R, G, B'of the L * a * b * color system as shown in FIG. It is necessary to move this target value T'to the color reproduction range. In this case, the target value T '
Is moved in the achromatic color direction, the coordinates of the intersection with the boundary of the color reproduction range in the achromatic color direction are set as target values, and a target value T corresponding to T ′ is calculated as shown in FIG. .

It should be noted that the target value T ′ does not necessarily have to be moved to the boundary but may be moved within the color reproduction range. Also, here, for the sake of explanation, an example of the two dimensions of R × G is shown, but in reality, the three dimensions of R × G × B are
It is necessary to calculate the values of R, G, and B one by one with the target value T ′ being each LUT input point of 33 × 33 × 33 points of L * a * b *.

In order to perform the above-mentioned calculation, for example, the light amount value calculation processing means in FIG. 7 is a coordinate system conversion processing unit (not shown) for converting the coordinate system, and a convergence calculation processing unit for performing the convergence calculation. It is preferable to provide a target value calculation unit (not shown) and the like (not shown).

As described above, according to this embodiment, L *
a * b * -light intensity RGB LUT, R, G, and B light intensity values corresponding to L * a * b * are prepared only for specific steps, and values between them are calculated by interpolation processing. Therefore, the amount of data to be prepared can be reduced.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following, description of substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

In this embodiment, the case where the device link color profile included in the CMS, which is one of the color correction processes performed in addition to the solid adjustment process, is used, and the concrete contents of the profile are shown. Is a form,
The present invention can be applied to any of the above embodiments. Various profiles such as the device link color profile and processing programs can be provided in the above-described image processing apparatus or output apparatus. The details will be described below.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing each step of the color adjusting method using the device link color profile according to this embodiment. This color adjustment method is executed so that the printing machine (first color image output apparatus) is the target of color matching, and the colors of the printing machine are reproduced by the proof color printer (second color image output apparatus). It is something.

First, each step of the color adjusting method according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

First, the color chart of the printed matter output by the printing machine is measured (S601), and the device color profile (first color profile) is created based on this (S602). On the other hand, the color chart of the proof output product output by the proof color printer is measured (S
603), and based on this, a device color profile (first color profile) is created (S60).
4).

Next, the device color profile of the printing press and the device color profile of the proof color printer are read (S605) to remove turbidity.
Select either one of the processing of removing turbidity and reproducing solid, or neither of them (S606). In the case of, while performing correction by the processing of step S607 or step S608 (in the case of correction (Without doing so), a lookup table that is a device link color profile (second color profile) is created (S60).
9).

Then, the image data is color-corrected pixel by pixel according to the device link color profile to obtain the CMYK values to be output to the proof color printer and output from the proof color printer (S61).
0).

Next, the contents of the device color profile and the method of creating the device color profile will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 31 and 42.

The device color profile of each of the above-described printing machine and proof color printer is composed of the following two look-up tables (hereinafter referred to as "LUTs"). CMYK-L * a * b * LUT L * a * b * -CMYK LUT The CMYK-L * a * b * LUT converts CMYK color values into color system values L * a * b *. L * a * b *-
The CMYK LUT uses the color system values L * a * b * as CMY
Convert to K color value.

L * a * b * -CMYK LUT is L * a
Since the color reproducible range of CMYK mixed colors by the device is limited in the * b * full color space, how to map the L * a * b * full color space within the color reproducible range? It is general to change several types, to have a plurality of types, and to select and use according to the type of input device.

The CMYK-L * a * b * LUT is, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, and is a four-dimensional input / 3-dimensional output in which L * a * b * values are input to the CMYK LUT input points. Specifically, color patches are measured with a colorimeter for a large number of combinations of all color spaces of CMYK, and L * a * b * values of each color patch are obtained to be an LUT. For example, the following method is used. I can decide.

That is, the minimum value 0 of each of C, M, Y and K
To 255 are divided into four, 0, 64, 128, 19
There are 5 stages of 1, 255, and C × M × Y × K: 5 × 5 ×
A color chart as shown in FIG. 21 in which color patches are arranged for a combination of 5 × 5 = 625 points is printed by a printing machine or a proofreading color printer, and 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 = 625
Determine each L * a * b * value by measuring each patch of points in turn.

Further, the 4-dimensional input / 3-dimensional output LUT is
LUT for 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 grid points, 5 ×
Interpolation is performed to obtain each L * a * b * value of 5 × 5 × 5 = 625 points.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the black circles are grid points (sample points) and the triangle marks and the X marks are points to be interpolated, respectively, there are two grid points before and after the triangle mark. , When there are 1 point and 3 points before and after, like x mark,
Different interpolation formulas are used.

Here, the color system of the points to be interpolated is Lm * a
m * bm *, and the color system of each sample point is Li * ai *
When bi * (i = 1 to 4), the former case (triangle mark) is interpolated by the following interpolation formula. Lm * =-(1/16) L1 ** + (9/16) L2 **
(9/16) L3 *-(1/16) L4 * am * =-(1/16) a1 * + (9/16) a2 **
(9/16) a3 *-(1/16) a4 * bm * =-(1/16) b1 * + (9/16) b2 ** +
(9/16) b3 *-(1/16) b4 *

In the latter case (marked with X), the following interpolation formula is used. Lm * = (5/16) L1 * + (15/16) L2 *-
(5/16) L3 *-(1/16) L4 * am * = (5/16) a1 ** + (15/16) a2 *-
(5/16) a3 *-(1/16) a4 * bm * = (5/16) b1 ** + (15/16) b2 *-
(95/16) b3 *-(1/16) b4 *

FIG. 23 shows an example of the order of interpolation processing for the three-dimensional CMY. Numbers I, II, II shown in FIG.
By performing interpolation processing in the order of I, CMY5 × 5
Interpolate x5 to 9x9x9. Furthermore, CMY5 × 5 × 5
22 is performed for all 5 K levels, and then, for each point of CMY9 × 9 × 9, the calculation for interpolating 5 points of K into 9 points is performed by the method shown in FIG. Do the same. As a result, even though only 5 × 5 × 5 = 625 patch points are actually measured, 9 × 9 × 9
The L * a * b * value can be obtained for the combination of CMYK by expanding to × 9 = 6561 points.

On the other hand, L * a * b * -CMYK LUT
Is a three-dimensional input / 4-dimensional output LUT as shown in FIG.
Therefore, interpolation is performed with respect to points between 33 × 33 × 33 grid points for conversion.

As shown in FIG. 42, the above three-dimensional input / 4
The method of obtaining the dimension output LUT is performed in the following steps S01-
It is composed of S04. For the sake of simplicity, the description will be made assuming that the two basic colors are C and M. Note that C, M, Y, and K all take values from 0 to 255.

(Step S01) The above CMYK-L *
a * b * LUT (1) C × M × Y × K: 9 × 9 × 9
The four-dimensional data, which is the L * a * b * value for x9, is converted into the three-dimensional data, which is the L * a * b * value for CxMxY: 9x9x9. For this purpose, it is possible to use, for example, the method described in the specification of the applicant's patent No. 2898030. For example, CM
K is added based on the minimum value of CMY such that K is added to emphasize the gray component obtained from the minimum value of Y.
L * a for the case in which K is added to CMY
This is done by finding the * b * value.

K can be obtained by the following equation.
Assuming that the minimum value of CMY is min [C, M, Y], K = 1.6 (min [C, M, Y] -128) However, if K <0, then K = 0.

Further, the L * a * b * value when this K is added to CMY can be obtained as follows, for example. Taking the case of C = M = Y = 191 as an example, K =
1.6 * (191-128) = 101, and this 10
1 is C × M × Y × K: 9 points of 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 K (0,
32, 64, 96, 128, 159, 191, 223,
255) between the fourth 96 and the fifth 128, C = M = Y = 191 in the 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 points.
(7th point), L = a * b * value of K = 96 (4th point), C = M = Y = 191 (7th point), C = M = Y = 19
L * a * b of 1 (7th point) and K = 128 (5th point)
* Calculate by interpolating from two values. C = M = Y = 19
The weight w1 for L1 * a1 * b1 *, which is the L * a * b * value of 1 (7th point) and K = 96 (4th point), is w1 =
C as 1.0- (101-96) / (128-96)
= M = Y = 191 (7th point), K = 128 (5th point) L * a * b * L2 * a2 * b2 * weight w2, w2 = (101-96) / (128-96)
Then, L * a * b * value after interpolation, Lm * am * bm
* Can be obtained by Lm * = w1 * L1 * + w2 * L2 * am * = w1 * a1 * + w2 * a2 * bm * = w1 * b1 * + w2 * b2 *.

This is the case of C = M = Y = 191, but by performing this for C × M × Y: 9 × 9 × 9 = 729 points, C × M × Y × K: 9 × 9 x 9 x 9 of 4
Three-dimensional data of C × M × Y: 9 × 9 × 9 can be created from the dimensional data.

(Step S02) Next, step S01.
C × M × Y: using 9 × 9 × 9 three-dimensional data, L
* A * b * -CMYK LUT (2) is calculated. Figure 2
5 is a two-dimensional 9 × 9 combination of M and C in CMY (Y
= 0), L * is plotted on the vertical axis and a * is plotted on the horizontal axis. Although it is actually three-dimensional, it is shown in two dimensions for simplicity.

For this CMY distribution, the target point [L * (0-100) a * (-127 ...
128) b * (-127 to 128): 33 × 33 × 33
= 35937 each LUT input point], L * a * b * is given as a target value T ′. When the target value T'is in the area surrounded by the grid points a'to d'as shown in FIG. 25, the MC combination (target value T) in the MC coordinate system is the grid points a to'd 'as shown in FIG. It is presumed to be within the area surrounded by d. The position of the target value T in the region formed by the grid points a to d is determined by the color system of FIG.
Convergence calculation processing is performed while associating with the coordinate system of. The convergence calculation processing is performed in this manner, although the conversion from the coordinate system of FIG. 26 to the color system of FIG. 25 is known, the reverse conversion is very complicated and a good conversion formula is known. This is because it has not been done.

Next, the area S0 formed by the grid points a to d in FIG. 27 is equally divided into four areas S1 to S4. 5
The individual division points e to i are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points e to i into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 28, and are plotted by the plotted division points e ′ to i ′. Four areas S formed
Which region of 1'-S4 'has the target value T'is determined. When in the area S2 'as shown in FIG. 28, the target value T is S2 corresponding to the area S2' as shown in FIG.
Presumed to be in.

Next, the estimated area S2 is set to S5 to S8.
Divide into two equal parts. The five division points j to n are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the value corresponding to the division points j to n is set to L *.
A value when converted to the a * b * color system is plotted in the color system of FIG. 28, and which of the four regions S5 ′ to S8 ′ formed by the plotted dividing points j ′ to n ′ is The target value T'is determined. As shown in FIG. 27, the area S8 '
28, the target value T is in the region S as shown in FIG.
It is presumed to be in the area S8 corresponding to 8 '.

Next, the estimated area S8 is equally divided into four areas S9 to S12. The five division points o to s are calculated by weighted averaging using the already obtained surrounding grid points or division points. Then, the values obtained by converting the values corresponding to the division points o to s into the L * a * b * color system are plotted in the color system of FIG. 28, and the plotted division points o ′
Which region among the four regions S9 ′ to S12 ′ formed by ˜s ′ has the target value T ′ is obtained. When it is in the region S10 'as shown in FIG. 28, it is estimated that the target value T is in the region S10 corresponding to the region S10' as shown in FIG.

By repeating the division of the region as described above, the lattice gradually becomes smaller and finally converges. Then, the target value T is obtained by averaging the four lattice points or the division points forming the converged area, and thus the combination of the basic colors indicating the output colors to be obtained can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the method based on the convergence calculation as described above is described.
An interpolation method as described in the specification of 895086 may be used.

By the way, when the target value T'is outside the color reproduction range formed by the vertices W ', C', M ', B'of the L * a * b * color system as shown in FIG. , This target value T '
Need to be moved to the color reproduction range. In this case, the target value T'is moved in the achromatic color direction, and the coordinates of the intersection with the boundary of the color reproduction range in the achromatic color direction is set as the target value, as shown in FIG. A target value T to be calculated is calculated.

It should be noted that the target value T ′ does not necessarily have to be moved to the boundary, but may be moved within the color reproduction range. Also, here, for the sake of explanation, the example of the two-dimensional C × M is shown, but actually, the three-dimensional C × M × Y is used.
It is necessary to calculate the values of C, M, and Y one by one with each LUT input point of 33 * 33 * 33 points of L * a * b * as a target value T '.

(Step S03) C for 33 * 33 * 33 points of L * a * b * obtained in Step S02,
M and Y are C × M × Y obtained in the first step: 9 × 9 ×
CMY corresponding to the three-dimensional data of 9, and K is obtained from CMY by the same method as in the first step. K = 1.6 (min [C, M, Y] -128) However, if K <0, then K = 0.

(Step S04) The CMYK values for the LUT input points of 33 * 33 * 33 points of L * a * b * obtained as described above are converted into LUTs.

Next, the contents of the device link color profile and the method of creating the device link color profile will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 and 44.

The device link color profile is, for example, C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × as shown in FIG.
CM for 21 × 21 = 194481 LUT input points
A four-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT in which YK values are entered, and can be created as follows, for example.

Using the CMYK-L * a * b * LUT in the device color profile of the printing machine and the L * a * b * -CMYK LUT in the proof color printer, C, M, Y, and K respectively , 0-255 divided into 20 equal parts, 21 points of combination C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × 21
With the input value of x21 = 194481 points, a four-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT in which CMYK values to be output to the proof color printer for each point are input as output values is calculated.

C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × 21 × 21
= 194481 points are calculated as follows for each one of the input points. The following steps S11 to S13 in FIG.
Described in.

(Step S11) First, CMYK-L * a * b * L in the device color profile of the printing machine.
Determine L * a * b * using UT. C = 25.5 (0
~ 20 2), M = 51 (0-20 4), Y = 19
Taking the points of 1.25 (4 from 0 to 20) and K = 76.5 (6 from 0 to 20) as an example, CMYK: 9 × 9 × 9 × 9-L
CMYK of the * a * b * LUT: The distance between the input points within 9 × 9 × 9 × 9 and the input points of each of CMYK is C: 25.5 / 255 × 8 = 0.8, so 1 of C The distance DC1 to the first point C1 and C1 and the second point C2 of C
And the distance DC2 to C2 is C1 = 0, DC1 = 0, C2
= 1, DC1 = 0.2 M: 51/255 × 8 = 1.6, so the distance DM1 to the first point M1 of M and M1 and the second point M2 and M of M
The distance DM2 to 2 is M1 = 1, DM1 = 0.6, M2
= 1, DM1 = 0.4 Y: 191.5 / 255 × 8 = 6, so the distance Y1 to the first point Y1 and Y1 and the distance Y2 to the second point Y2 and Y2 For DY2, Y1 = 6, DY1 = 0, Y2 =
7, DY1 = 1.0 K: 76.5 / 255 × 8 = 2.4, so the first point K1 of K and the distance DK1 to K1 and the second point K2 of K
And the distance DK2 to K2 is K1 = 2, DK1 = 0.4,
K2 = 3 and DK2 = 0.6.

In addition, C2 points (C1, C2) × M2 points (M1, M2) × Y from the CMYK-L * a * b * LUT
The values of the L * a * b * color system for 2 points (Y1, Y2) × K2 points (K1, K2) = 16 points are Lc1m1y1k1 *, Lc1m1y1k2 *, Lc1m1y2k1 *, Lc1m1y2k2 *, Lc1m2y1k1 * 1, Lc1 *, Lc1m2 y2k1 *, Lc1m2y2k2 *, Lc2m1y1k1 *, Lc2m1y1k2 *, Lc2m1y2k1 *, Lc 2m1y2k2 *, Lc2m2y1k1 *, Lc2m2y1k2 *, Lc2m2 y2k1 *, Lc2m2y2k2 *, ac1m1y1k1 *, ac1m1y1k2 *, ac1m1y2k1 *, ac 1m1y2k2 *, ac1m2y1k1 * , Ac1m2y1k2 *, ac1m2 y2k1 *, ac1m2y2k2 *, ac2m1y1k1 *, ac2m1y1k2 *, ac m1y2k1 *, ac 2m1y2k2 *, ac2m2y1k1 *, ac2m2y1k2 *, ac2m2 y2k1 *, ac2m2y2k2 *, bc1m1y1k1 *, bc1m1y1k2 *, bc1m1y2k1 *, bc 1m1y2k2 *, bc1m2y1k1 *, bc1m2y1k2 *, bc1m2 y2k1 *, bc1m2y2k2 *, bc2m1y1k1 *, bc2m1y1k2 *, Bc2m1y2k1 *, bc2m1y2k2 *, bc2m2y1k1 *, bc2m2y1k2 *, bc2m2y2k1 *, bc2m2y2k2 *, C = 25.5 (2 from 0 to 20), M = 51
L * a for (4 from 0 to 20), Y = 191.25 (4 from 0 to 20), K = 76.5 (6 from 0 to 20)
The value of the * b * color system is calculated by the following equation.

[0249]   L * = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × Lc1m1y1k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Lc1m1y1k2 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Lc1m1y2k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Lc1m1y2k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Lc1m2y1k1 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Lc1m2y1k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Lc1m2y2k1 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Lc1m2y2k2 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x Lc2m1y1k1 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Lc2m1y1k2 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Lc2m1y2k1 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Lc2m1y2k2 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Lc2m2y1k1 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Lc2m2y1k2 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Lc2m2y2k1 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Lc2m2y2k2 *

[0250]   a * = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × ac1m1y1k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x ac1m1y1k2 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x ac1m1y2k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x ac1m1y2k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x ac1m2y1k1 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x ac1m2y1k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x ac1m2y2k1 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x ac1m2y2k2 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x ac2m1y1k1 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x ac2m1y1k2 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x ac2m1y2k1 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x ac2m1y2k2 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x ac2m2y1k1 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x ac2m2y1k2 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x ac2m2y2k1 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x ac2m2y2k2 *

[0251]   b * = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × bc1m1y1k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x bc1m1y1k2 * + DC2 × DM2 × DY1 × DK2 × bc1m1y2k1 * + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x bc1m1y2k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x bc1m2y1k1 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x bc1m2y1k2 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x bc1m2y2k1 * + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x bc1m2y2k2 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x bc2m1y1k1 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x bc2m1y1k2 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x bc2m1y2k1 * + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x bc2m1y2k2 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x bc2m2y1k1 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x bc2m2y1k2 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x bc2m2y2k1 * + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x bc2m2y2k2 * Becomes

(Step S12) Next, step S11
Hue and saturation are calculated from the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in step 1, and the turbidity is removed by moving the hue of each CMY single color part as necessary according to the selection for each of the C, M, and Y single colors. Processing, processing for removing turbidity due to movement of hue and saturation, and processing for reproducing solid will be described.

First, the processing for removing turbidity due to the movement of the hue of each CMY single color portion will be described with reference to FIGS.

Taking the monochrome portion of C as an example, the CMYK-L * a * b * LUT of the device color profile of the printing machine
From C single color (32, 64, 96, 128, 159, 1
91, 223, 255), L * a * b * value is obtained, and a * b * is converted into C * and hab by the following formula.

C * = (a * ² + b * ² ) ^0.5 hab = Arctan (a * / b *) / π × 180 If hab <0, then hab = hab + 360.

Here, C single color 9 steps (32, 64, 96,
128, 159, 191, 223, 255) a *, b
32 is plotted when * is plotted, and FIG. 33 is plotted when L * and C * are plotted.

As shown in FIG. 34, a device produced by moving the hue so that the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing machine matches the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C monochrome of the proof color printer. The C single color portion of the output result from the link color profile is reproduced in the C single color.

That is, turbidity due to other color components of M, Y and K is prevented. It is necessary to move the hue not only on the locus of the C single color in the color space but also continuously in the peripheral range.

That is, the L * C for the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing press and the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the calibration color printer
Using the value of * hab, a hue range (upper limit to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 35 is obtained for each saturation C *, and a lightness range (center to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 36 is obtained for each saturation. In the calculation of the device link color profile, the CM is calculated for each CMYK input point as described above.
When performing conversion calculation of YK-L * a * b * -CMYK,
The hue is moved only when C * and hab obtained from L * and a * b * fall within the range.

This movement amount is largest on the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing machine (“center” in FIGS. 35 and 36), and becomes smaller as the distance increases, and the end of the area shown in FIGS. 35 and 36. At (upper limit and lower limit), the movement amount becomes zero. The method of setting the range and the method of changing the movement amount do not have to be the same as those in this embodiment, and may be determined so as not to cause tone jump and gradation loss.

Next, the moved a * b * is obtained from the saturation C * and the moved hue hab by the following formula.

A * = cos (hab / 180 × π) × C * b * = sin (hab / 180 × π) × C * By the obtained a * b *, step S1
Replace a * b * in the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in 1.

Next, the processing for removing turbidity and reproducing solid images due to the movement of the hue and saturation of each CMY single color portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 39.

Taking the monochromatic portion of C as an example, CMYK-L * a * b of the device color profile of the printed matter of the printing press.
* From LUT, C single color (32, 64, 96, 128, 1
59, 191, 223, 255), L * a * b
* The value is calculated and a * b * is converted into C * and hab by the following formula.

C * = (a * ² + b * ² ) ^0.5 hab = Arctan (a * / b *) / π × 180 If hab <0, then hab = hab + 360.

[0266] Here, C single color 9 steps (32, 64, 96,
128, 159, 191, 223, 255) a *, b
32 is plotted when * is plotted, and FIG. 33 is plotted when L * and C * are plotted.

As shown in FIG. 37, the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing press is moved so that the hue of the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the proof color printer matches the hue of the locus of the printing press. By moving the saturation so that the saturation of solid (255) of the same as the saturation of solid (255) of the proof color printer, the C single color part of the output result from the created device link color profile is Reproduced in C single color. In other words, it is possible to prevent muddyness due to other color portions of M, Y, and K from entering and to reproduce solid C solid color solidly. Further, the movement of the hue / saturation needs to be performed not only on the locus of the C single color in the color space but also continuously in the peripheral range.

That is, L * C for the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing press and the locus of 9 steps of C monochrome of the proof color printer.
Using the value of * hab, a hue range (upper limit to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 38 is obtained for each saturation C *, and a range of lightness (center to lower limit) as shown in FIG. 39 is obtained for each saturation C. * Is calculated and calculated from L * and a * b * when the conversion calculation of CMYK-L * a * b * -CMYK is performed for each CMYK input point in the device link color profile calculation. C * and hab shift the hue only when they enter the range.

In the present embodiment, for the halftone of C single color, in order to maintain the saturation, the hue is moved with the saturation kept as it is, and when the saturation C * becomes 60 or more, it is simultaneously performed with the hue. Although the saturation is moved, the saturation may be moved from a lower saturation C * when it is desired to increase the saturation of the entire C gradation.

The movement amount becomes smaller as the distance on the locus of 9 steps of C single color of the printing press (“center” in FIGS. 38 and 39) becomes larger, and the movement amount becomes smaller (upper limit, upper limit of the area shown in FIGS. 38 and 39). At the lower limit), the movement amount becomes zero. Further, the method of setting the range and the method of changing the movement amount do not have to be the same as those in this embodiment, and may be determined so as not to cause the tone jump and the gradation collapse.

Next, the after-movement a * b * is obtained from the saturation C * and the after-movement hue hab by the following formula.

A * = cos (hab / 180 × π) × C * b * = sin (hab / 180 × π) × C * By the obtained a * b *, step S1 is performed.
Replace a * b * in the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in 1.

(Step S13) Next, step S12
The value of the L * a * b * color system obtained in step 2 is used as the L * a * b *-of the device color profile of the proof color printer
CMYK is obtained using the CMYK LUT. For example, if the values of the L * a * b * color system obtained in step S12 are L * = 57.0, a * = 5.3, b * = 35.6, L * a * b *: 33 × 33 × 33-CMYK LU
L * a * b * of T: 33 × 33 × 33 input points and L *
The distance to each input point of a * b * is L *: 57,0 / 100 × 32 = 18.2, so L *
The distance DL1 to the first points L1 and L1 of L1 and the distance DL2 to the second points L2 and L2 of L * are L1 = 18, DL
1 = 0.2, L2 = 19, DL2 = 0.8 a *: (5.3 + 127) /255×32=16.6, so the first point a1 of a * and the distance DL1 to a1 are:
The distance Da2 between the second point a2 of a * and a2 is a1 =
16, Da1 = 0.6, a2 = 17, Da2 = 0.4 b *: (35.6 + 127) /255×32=20.4
Therefore, the distance DL1 to the first point b1 of b * and b1
And the distance Db2 to the second point b2 of b * and b2 is b
1 = 20, Db1 = 0.4, b2 = 21, Db2 = 0.
It becomes 6.

L * a * b *: 33 × 33 × 33-CMY
The CMYK values for L * 2 points (L1, L2) × a * 2 points (a1, a2) × b * 2 points (b1, b2) = 8 points from the K LUT are CL1a1b1, CL1a1b2, CL1a2b1, CL1a2b2, CL2 a1b1, CL2a1b2, CL2a2b1, CL2a2b2, ML1a1b1, ML1a1b2, ML1a2b1, ML1a2b2, ML2 a1b1, ML2a1b2, ML2a2b1, ML2a2b2, YL1a1b1, YL1a1b2, YL1a2b1, YL1a2b2, YL2 a1b1, YL2a1b2, YL2a2b1, YL2a2b2, KL1a1b1, KL1a1b2, KL1a2b1, KL1a2b2 , KL2 a1b1, KL2a1b2, KL2a2b1, KL2a2b2, L * = 57,0, a * = 5 3, b * = 3
The value of CMYK for 5.6 is given by:

[0275] C = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × CL1a1b1 + DL2 x Da2 x Db1 x CL1a1b2 + DL2 x Da1 x Db2 x CL1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1 x Db1 x CL1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x CL2a1b1 + DL1 x Da2 x Db1 x CL2a1b2 + DL1 x Da1 x Db2 x CL2a2b1 + DL1 x Da1 x Db1 x CL2a2b2

[0276] M = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × ML1a1b1 + DL2 x Da2 x Db1 x ML1a1b2 + DL2 x Da1 x Db2 x ML1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1 x Db1 x ML1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x ML2a1b1 + DL1 x Da2 x Db1 x ML2a1b2 + DL1 x Da1 x Db2 x ML2a2b1 + DL1 x Da1 x Db1 x ML2a2b2

[0277] Y = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × YL1a1b1 + DL2 x Da2 x Db1 x YL1a1b2 + DL2 x Da1 x Db2 x YL1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1 x Db1 x YL1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x YL2a1b1 + DL1 x Da2 x Db1 x YL2a1b2 + DL1 x Da1 x Db2 x YL2a2b1 + DL1 x Da1 x Db1 x YL2a2b2

[0278] K = DL2 × Da2 × Db2 × KL1a1b1 + DL2 x Da2 x Db1 x KL1a1b2 + DL2 x Da1 x Db2 x KL1a2b1 + DL2 x Da1 x Db1 x KL1a2b2 + DL1 x Da2 x Db2 x KL2a1b1 + DL1 x Da2 x Db1 x KL2a1b2 + DL1 x Da1 x Db2 x KL2a2b1 + DL1 x Da1 x Db1 x KL2a2b2

(Step S14) As described above, steps S11 to S13 are C × M × Y ×.
K: 21 × 21 × 21 × 21 = 1947481 repeated input points and the result is CMYK four-dimensional input C
As a LUT for MYK four-dimensional output, let it be a device link color profile.

(Step S15) Next, turbidity removal correction of the LUT value of the device link color profile, turbidity removal and solid reproduction correction will be described.

FIG. 18 shows the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile in the case where the turbidity removal processing by the hue shift of the C single color portion is performed. When the device link color profile is created using the method of step S12, for example, from the LUT calculation result of the C single color portion, the following “LUT contents (before correction)” is obtained, and M, Y other than C, It turns out that there are many points with a small amount of K.
This indicates that the turbid component was not completely removed by the calculation error even when the hue was shifted.

When this condition is checked with a magnifying glass, other halftone dots will result in the C monochromatic portion. Therefore, in order to completely remove the turbid component, these C monochromatic LUT points are M, Y , K is changed to 0 and is changed as shown in “LUT contents (after correction)” in FIG. As a result, the turbid component is completely removed.

Next, FIG. 19 shows the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile in the case where the turbidity removal and solid reproduction processing by the movement of the hue and saturation of the C single color portion are performed. A device link color profile is created using the method of S12, and when looking at the LUT calculation result of a single color part, for example, the “LUT contents (before correction)” in FIG. It can be seen that solid K (255) is not solid because it contains a small amount of K.

This indicates that the turbid component was not completely removed due to a calculation error due to the above-described hue shift, and the solid image was not solid.

When this condition is checked with a magnifying glass, other halftone dots will be included in the C monochromatic portion, and the result will be that the C monochromatic solid will not become solid. Therefore, in order to completely remove the turbid component and reproduce the solid. , For these C monochromatic LUT points,
Change M, Y, and K to 0, and C solid color (255)
Is set to 255, and is changed to “LUT contents (after correction)” in FIG. As a result, the turbid component is completely removed and the solid becomes solid.

Next, referring to FIG. 40, the turbidity removal processing for each of the above-described CMY, the turbidity removal and solid reproduction processing, or the selection without any processing will be described.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a setting screen by software for creating a device link profile from a device color profile.

40. In the columns 40a and 40b on the left side of the screen in FIG. 40, select each device color profile of the color printer for proofreading printed matter, and select sections 40c, 40d and 4 on the right side of the screen.
At 0e, for each of C, M, and Y, it is possible to select whether to perform the turbidity removal processing (hue transfer) or not to perform anything.

By making selections for C, M, and Y, respectively, based on the difference in the color tone of the CMY single colors of the printed matter and the proof color printer and the difference in the solid density, for example, the color tone is greatly different but turbid. If you remove it, the color tone will remain different even if you apply color correction using the DeviceLink color profile.If you keep the solid even though the solid density is significantly different, you will get a solid color even if you apply the color correction using the DeviceLink color profile. It is possible to prevent the concentrations from remaining different.

Next, an example of image conversion using a device link color profile as shown in FIG. 41 will be described. The device link color profile shown in FIG. 41 is C × M × Y × K: 21 × 21 × 21 × 21 = 194.
It is a four-dimensional input / four-dimensional output LUT in which CMYK values are entered for the 481 LUT input points.

CMYK Distance to each input point CMY
41. By performing the following calculation for each pixel for the image data consisting of the numerical values of 0 to 255 for each K, FIG.
CMYK that performs color correction with a device-link color profile like the one shown above and outputs it to a proofing color printer
You can get the value.

C = 25, M = 51, Y = 191, K = 1
Taking 0 pixels as an example, CMYK: 21 × 21 × 21 ×
21-CMYK LUT CMYK: 21 × 21 × 21
Since the distance between the input point in × 21 and each input point of CMYK is C: 25/255 × 20 = 1.96, the distance C1 to the first point C1 of C and the distance DC1 to C1 Second point C2
And the distance DC2 to C2 is C1 = 1, DC1 = 0.9
6, C2 = 2, DC1 = 0.04 M: 51/255 × 20 = 4.0, so the distance DM1 to the first point M1 of M and M1 and the second point M2 and M2 of M The distance DM2 to M1 = 4, DM1 = 0.0, M
2 = 5, DM1 = 1.0 Y: 191/255 × 20 = 14.89, so 1 of Y
The distance DY1 to the second point Y1 and Y1 and the distance DY2 to the second point Y2 and Y2 of Y are Y1 = 14 and DY1 =
0.98, Y2 = 15, DY2 = 0.02 K: 10/10/255 × 20 = 0.78, so the first point K1 of K and the distance DK1 to K1 and the second point K2 of K
And the distance DK2 to K2 is K1 = 0, DK1 = 0.7
8, K2 = 3 and DK2 = 0.22.

Further, CMYK output values for C2 points (C1, C2) × M2 points (M1, M2) × Y2 points (Y1, Y2) × K2 points (K1, K2) = 16 points from the CMYK-CMYK LUT the, Cc1m1y1k1, Cc1m1y1k2, Cc1m1y2k1, Cc1m1 y2k2, Cc1m2y1k1, Cc1m2y1k2, Cc1m2y2k1, C c1m2y2k2, Cc2m1y1k1, Cc2m1y1k2, Cc2m1y2k1, Cc2m1 y2k2, Cc2m2y1k1, Cc2m2y1k2, Cc2m2y2k1, C c2m2y2k2, Mc1m1y1k1, Mc1m1y1k2, Mc1m1y2k1, Mc1m1 y2k2, Mc1m2y1k1, Mc1m2y1k2 , Mc1m2y2k1, M c1m2y2k2, Mc2m1 1k1, Mc2m1y1k2, Mc2m1y2k1, Mc2m1 y2k2, Mc2m2y1k1, Mc2m2y1k2, Mc2m2y2k1, M c2m2y2k2, Yc1m1y1k1, Yc1m1y1k2, Yc1m1y2k1, Yc1m1 y2k2, Yc1m2y1k1, Yc1m2y1k2, Yc1m2y2k1, Y c1m2y2k2, Yc2m1y1k1, Yc2m1y1k2, Yc2m1y2k1, Yc2m1 y2k2, Yc2m2y1k1, Yc2m2y1k2, Yc2m2y2k1 , Y c2m2y2k2, Kc1m1y1k1, Kc1m1y1k2, Kc1m1y2k1, Kc1m1 y2k2, Kc1m2y1k1, Kc1m2y1k2, Kc1m2y2k1, Kc1m2y2k2, Kc2m1m1y1 y1k2, Kc2m1y2k1, Kc2m1 y2k2, Kc2m2y1k1, Kc2m2y1k2, Kc2m2y2k1, Kc2m2y2k2, C = 25, M = 51, Y = 191, K = 10
CMYK output value CoutMoutY for each pixel
outKout can be calculated by the following equations.

[0294]   Cout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × Cc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Cc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Cc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Cc1m1y2k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Cc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Cc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Cc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Cc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x Cc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Cc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Cc2m1y2k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Cc2m1y2k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Cc2m2y1k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Cc2m2y1k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Cc2m2y2k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Cc2m2y2k2 Becomes

[0295]   Mout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × Mc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Mc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Mc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Mc1m1y2k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Mc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Mc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Mc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Mc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x Mc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Mc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Mc2m1y2k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Mc2m1y2k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Mc2m2y1k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Mc2m2y1k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Mc2m2y2k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Mc2m2y2k2 Becomes

[0296]   Yout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × Yc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Yc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Yc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Yc1m1y2k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Yc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Yc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Yc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Yc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x Yc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Yc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Yc2m1y2k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Yc2m1y2k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Yc2m2y1k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Yc2m2y1k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Yc2m2y2k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Yc2m2y2k2 Becomes

[0297]   Kout = DC2 × DM2 × DY2 × DK2 × Kc1m1y1k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Kc1m1y1k2 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Kc1m1y2k1 + DC2 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Kc1m1y2k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Kc1m2y1k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Kc1m2y1k2 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Kc1m2y2k1 + DC2 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Kc1m2y2k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK2 x Kc2m1y1k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY2 x DK1 x Kc2m1y1k2 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK2 x Kc2m1y2k1 + DC1 x DM2 x DY1 x DK1 x Kc2m1y2k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK2 x Kc2m2y1k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY2 x DK1 x Kc2m2y1k2 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK2 x Kc2m2y2k1 + DC1 x DM1 x DY1 x DK1 x Kc2m2y2k2 Becomes

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the solid adjustment processing for the basic color, the spot color, etc. in each of the above-described embodiments, the processing such as the removal of single color turbidity and the reproduction of solid by the device link color profile is performed. By performing the above and outputting with a proof color printer, there is no turbidity in each CMY single color part, and each CMY single color solid can be reproduced as a solid, and an output suitable for the color of the printing machine can be obtained with the proof color printer. be able to.

As described above, by the color management system based on the device link color profile, the color of the color printer for proofreading can be matched with the color of the printing machine with high accuracy. For example, the secondary colors of red R, green G, and blue B can be used. With respect to colors, black with three CMY colors, black with four CMYK colors, and colors in the vicinity thereof, it is possible to perform color correction capable of performing strict color matching when the appearance of colors differs from that of the printing machine.

As a result, since the CMS has the function of holding the solid, the color of the solid halftone dot is forcibly pulled to the color of the pigment by the CMS, and the solid halftone dot is printed from the non-solid halftone dot. The color at the halftone dots is removed,
It is possible to remove dust and turbidity generated when halftone dots overlap.

[Sixth Embodiment] Although the apparatus and method according to the present invention have been described according to some specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art should depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Instead, various modifications can be made to the embodiments described in the text of the present invention.

For example, program software is created so that a computer executes each step of the color adjusting method according to the present embodiment shown in each of FIGS. 42 to 44, and the program software is a computer-readable recording. It can be stored on the medium.

That is, the color proof creating system according to each of the above-described embodiments, the image processing apparatus used for the system, the upstream terminal, the processing program processed by the output apparatus, the described processing, the entire data (for example, various tables, etc.) or The configuration may be such that each unit is recorded on an information recording medium. Further, it also includes a program in which the above-mentioned processing program is incorporated into an electronic mail software which can be operated by a general personal computer or a mobile terminal, or an information recording medium in which the incorporated electronic mail software is recorded.

As this information recording medium, for example, RO
Semiconductor memory such as M, RAM, flash memory and the like, integrated circuits, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, magnetic recording media and the like may be used, and further, CD-ROM, hard disk, CD, FD, DVDRAM, DVDROM, MO,
It may be recorded on a ZIP, a magnetic card, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, an IC card, or the like to be configured and used.

Furthermore, examples of the medium include a wireless or infrared transmission channel between a computer and another device, a computer-readable card such as PCMC.
IA cards, network connections to other computers or devices on a network, and those that record information used on the Internet and intranet, including information recorded on email transmissions and websites and the like.

By using this information recording medium in a system or apparatus other than the system according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments and causing the system or computer to read and execute the program code stored in this storage medium, each of the above The function equivalent to that of the embodiment can be realized, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0307] Also, O running on the computer
S, the RTOS on the output device or the like performs a part or all of the processing, or the program code read from the storage medium is inserted into the computer, the image processing device, or the output device, the extended function board, the computer, or the image. After the data is written in the memory provided in the extended function unit connected to the processing device, and the CPU provided in the extended function board or the extended function unit performs some or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code. Also, it is possible to realize the same function as that of each of the above-described embodiments and obtain the same effect.

Specifically, the information recording medium has a halftone dot image data creating means for creating each color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors,
A program for transferring the halftone image data to the output device in a frame sequential manner and exposing a plurality of lights having different wavelengths to obtain a color proof is recorded. This information recording medium includes table information defining a correspondence relationship between density values of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan and respective light amounts of the plurality of lights, and L * a which is a color space of a color system. * B *
Table information defining a correspondence relationship between a value and each light quantity of the plurality of lights, and table information defining a correspondence relationship between an XYZ value which is a color space of a color system and each light quantity of the plurality of lights,
Based on the halftone dot image data, information for performing a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table, and each calculated light amount value is transferred to the output device, and each light amount is transferred. And information for performing a process for promoting exposure based on the value.

An information recording medium of another aspect is a combination of light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, based on each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the dot of the dot image data. And information for performing the process of controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on the combination of the calculated light amount values.

The measured values (measured density values) are lightness,
Any color can be specified as long as it can specify a color, such as expressing saturation or hue, or calculating, for example, XYZ color system (X, Y,
Z), L * a * b * color system (L *, a *, b * values), as well as Hunter Lab color system (L, a, b values), CIE
(1994) L * C * h color system (L *, C
*, H value), Munsell color system (H, V, C) and the like may be used if a conversion means capable of finally converting is provided.

The page description language is not limited to the Postscript type, but a page description language such as Interpress can be similarly applied.

Further, the function of the image processing apparatus may be incorporated in the output device to constitute one "output device". In this case, the measurement table 17a or the measurement table described above is provided in the storage unit 25. On this occasion,
The “storage unit 25” corresponds to the “storing unit” according to the present invention.

The output order of each of the C, M, Y, and K color plate data from the image forming apparatus can be set arbitrarily, but a table that provides a preferable output order according to the characteristics of the output apparatus 20 is prepared in advance. It is preferable to prepare the output order in advance according to the characteristics of the output device 20 (characteristics of the ink indicating the degree of bleeding, etc.) and the type. Further, a spot color may be used as the solid adjustment.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment includes various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. That is,
It goes without saying that the embodiments include the embodiments described above or a combination of any of them with any of the modifications. In this case, even if it is not particularly described in the present embodiment, as for the action and effect apparent from each configuration disclosed in each of the embodiments and the modifications, it is of course possible to obtain the action and effect in this example as well. . Further, it may be a configuration in which some of the constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment. The above description discloses only an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications and / or changes can be appropriately made within a predetermined range, but each embodiment is merely an example. , Not limiting.

[0315]

As described above, according to the present invention, in expressing the solid of the special color (100% of the net), the solid adjustment control can be performed by changing the combination of the light amounts, and the solid adjustment can be performed. , It is possible to adjust the solid color with the closest color from the color reproduction range of the proof system, and the color matching accuracy is dramatically improved.

Further, even if the target changes, only by selecting the optimum setting of the solid color, the halftone dot% becomes close to the target, so that a more accurate proof output can be obtained.

As described above, in the past, the solid color of the special color (net 100
%) Could not be controlled, but the solid color was changed by changing the combination of the three wavelengths.
Special color exposure can also be performed.

Further, the color can be controlled by the image processing apparatus, and color correction processing using, for example, CMS (color management system) and various LUTs such as dot gain and calibration can be added to the printing machine. When reproducing with the color printer for proofreading the color of, the color with the printing machine matches, there is no turbidity in each single color part of CMY,
In addition, each CMY solid color can be output as a solid and reproduced, and errors in the calibration work can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configurations of an image processing device and an output device in the color proof making system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a measurement table.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a color channel table.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the color proof making system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of another embodiment of the color proof making system of the present invention, and particularly showing a part of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a measurement table.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of another embodiment of the color proof making system of the present invention, and particularly showing a part of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 shows a color system value L * in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing of LUT which converts a * b * into the color value of RGB.

FIG. 11 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T ′ in the coordinates of the R, G color system in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T in coordinates of a combination of R and G colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T at coordinates of a combination of R and G colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T ′ in the coordinates of the R, G color system in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the R and G color system when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a coordinate diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the color systems of R and G when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a coordinate diagram showing that the image is moved within the color reproduction range.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the target value T at the coordinates of the color combination of R and G when the target value T ′ outside the color reproduction range is moved into the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. Is.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile when the processing for removing turbidity due to the movement of the hue of the C single color portion is performed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the LUT of the device link color profile when processing for removing turbidity and reproducing solid by moving the hue and saturation of the C monochromatic portion in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an LUT that converts CMYK color values into color system values L * a * b * in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a color patch image for measuring color values of CMYK in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a distribution of points to be interpolated with sample points on a locus according to CMY color values and color system values in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the order of interpolation processing when converting a CMY color combination into a color system value in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a value L * of a color system in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing of the LUT which converts a * b * into the value of the color of CMYK.

FIG. 25 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T ′ in the coordinates of C and M color systems in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a coordinate diagram showing a target value T at coordinates of a combination of C and M colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T at coordinates of a combination of C and M colors in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a coordinate diagram of a convergence calculation process for estimating a target value T ′ in the coordinates of the C and M color systems in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the color systems of C and M when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a coordinate diagram showing the target value T ′ in the coordinates of the color systems of C and M when the target value T ′ is outside the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a coordinate diagram showing that the image is moved within the color reproduction range.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the target value T at the coordinates of the color combination of C and M when the target value T ′ outside the color reproduction range is moved into the color reproduction range in the embodiment of the present invention. Is.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a printing machine and a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a proof color printer at coordinates of a color system of values a * b * of the color system.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a printing machine and a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a proof color printer at coordinates of a color system having a color system value L * C *.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing movement to the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing press and the locus of the C monochromatic hue of the proof color printer at the coordinates of the color system of the color system a * b *. is there.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a range to be moved to a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a printing press and a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a proofing color printer, in the coordinates of the color system of the color system a * b *. is there.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a range to be moved to a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a printing press and a locus of a C monochromatic hue of a proofing color printer, in the coordinates of the color system of the color system value L * C *. is there.

FIG. 37 is a locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing machine and a locus of the C monochromatic hue of the proofreading color printer at the coordinates of the C monochromatic hue of the printing machine at the coordinates of the colorimetric system of the values a * b * of the colorimetric system. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing that C and C are moved to a solid color saturation.

[Fig. 38] A locus of the hue of C single color of the printing machine and a locus of the hue of C monochromatic color of the proofreading color printer at the coordinates of the hue of C monochrome of the printing machine at the coordinates of the color a system of value a * b * of the colorimeter. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a range in which solid chroma of C and C is moved to a solid color saturation.

[Fig. 39] A locus of the C monochromatic hue of the printing press and a locus of the C monochromatic hue of the proof color printer in the solid color saturation of the C monochromatic color at coordinates of the color system of the color system value L * C *. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing that C and C are moved to a solid color saturation.

FIG. 40 shows an example of a screen for selecting a process of removing turbidity of CMY single colors, performing turbidity removal and solid retention, or neither of them by software for creating a device link profile. It is a figure.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of an LUT that converts CMYK color values into CMYK color values of a calibration color printer using a device link color profile for image data.

FIG. 42 shows L * a * b *-in the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart of the procedure which calculates | requires the 3-dimensional input / 4-dimensional output LUT of a CMYK LUT.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart schematically showing the procedure of a color adjustment method for a printing machine and a proof color printer using the device link color profile according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a device link color profile according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Color proof making system 10 Image processing device 12 Halftone image data creation unit 13 Adjustment calculation processing unit 14 Transfer control unit 17 Memory 17a measurement table 19 Control unit 20 Output device 21 Temporary information storage 22 Control unit 23 Exposure Department 24 Output section 25 memory

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 Z 1/60 B41J 3/00 BF term (reference) 2C262 AA29 AB07 AB11 AB13 BA01 BA02 BA09 BB09 BB41 BC01 BC11 EA11 EA12 GA33 GA47 5B057 AA11 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB07 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE13 CE17 CE18 CH18 5C074 DD01 DD16 DD24 DD26B23B02Q02 PP23 PQBPP02B02Q02 PP02 PBQBQ23P23B02PQBQBQBQPQBQBQBQPQBQBQBQBQPQBQBQPQBQBPPQBQBPPQBQBPPQBQPQBQBQPQBQPQBQPQBQPQBQPPP HB12 LB02 MA04 MA10 MA11 NA03 PA03

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for producing color-separated halftone image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and each halftone image data transferred and output from the image processing apparatus. Based on the above, a color proof creation system equipped with one or more output devices that output a color proof of halftone dot output by exposing a light spot consisting of a combination of multiple lights of different wavelengths to a light-sensitive material. In the image processing device, based on each density value of each component of the basic color corresponding to the halftone dot of the halftone dot image data, a calculating unit that calculates a combination of each light amount value to be emitted by the plurality of lights. A transfer control unit that transfers and controls each light amount value and halftone image data calculated by the calculating unit to the output device, and the output device includes a light amount value of each light amount value calculated by the calculating unit. set Based on the combined color proof producing system characterized by including control means for controlling an exposure amount of said plurality of light exposure. 2. The calculating means calculates the plurality of light beams based on density values of respective components of a basic color corresponding to at least 100% of the halftone dots of the halftone image data. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein a combination of respective light quantity values to be emitted is calculated. 3. The control unit controls the exposure amount by switching a table that defines a correspondence relationship between a reference color for printing and a light intensity composition of a light source that exposes a photosensitive material immediately before outputting the color proof. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein the color density of the light-sensitive material is changed to adjust the density. 4. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship between density values of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan and light amounts of the plurality of lights. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein the calculating unit calculates each light quantity of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data. 5. The table of the storage means defines only each light quantity value corresponding to the specified step of the density value, and the calculation means interpolates when the density value is between the specified steps. The color proof making system according to claim 4, wherein a combination of corresponding light amount values is calculated by calculation. 6. The image forming apparatus extracts a light quantity value corresponding to the output condition set by the setting means, the setting means setting the output condition according to the form of the output medium, the print condition, and the ink type. The color proof making device according to claim 1, further comprising: 7. The reference color is C, M, Y, K, R (Y
+ M), G (Y + M), B (C + M), C + M + Y, R
+ K, C + K, M + K, Y + K, G + K, B + K, C +
The color proof making system according to claim 3, wherein there are 16 solid colors of M + Y, C + M + Y + K, and White. 8. The calculation means calculates a combination of light quantity values to be emitted by the plurality of lights, based on a combination of color system values corresponding to the halftone dots of the halftone dot image data. The color proof making system according to claim 1. 9. The value of the color system is a standard color space L * a.
The color proof making system according to claim 7, wherein the color measurement value is defined by * b *. 10. The value of the color system is a standard color space XY.
9. The colorimetric value defined by Z.
The color proof making system described in. 11. The image forming apparatus corrects the halftone dot image data on the basis of a calibration LUT that defines a variation in the color of the halftone dot according to the model of the output device, and the calibration LUT. The color proof production system according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjustment calculation unit that calculates and adjusts the combination of the light amount values. 12. The image forming apparatus defines a dot gain LUT that defines an area ratio of halftone dots of halftone dot image data to an area ratio of printed halftone dots, and the halftone dot image based on the dot gain LUT. 2. An adjustment calculation unit that calculates the combination of the light amount values and adjusts while correcting the variation of the halftone dot area ratio according to the type of printed matter with respect to the data. The described color proof creation system. 13. The calculating means adjusts the color of a specific printing device based on a profile of a color management system that converts the color into a standard color space, and calculates and adjusts a combination of the light amount values. The color proof making system according to claim 1, which is performed. 14. The calculating means is for an input value of a combination of four or three basic colors of a printing machine which is a target of color matching, so that an output device can obtain an output suitable for the printing machine. One of the first profiles that defines color system values as output values, for the output device that reproduces the target color, four or three color output values for the input value of the combination of color system values. For the other first profile defining the value of the basic color, or for the input value of the combination of four or three basic colors for output in the printing machine created based on the two first profiles. 4 colors or 3 as output value
2. The color proof making system according to claim 1, wherein while performing color adjustment based on a device link profile that defines a value of a combination of basic colors, the combination of the light amount values is calculated and adjusted. 15. A halftone dot image data creating means for creating each halftone dot image data which is color-separated based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is output device in a frame sequential manner. An image processing apparatus for obtaining a color proof by exposing a plurality of light beams having different wavelengths to each other, the density values of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and the light amounts of the plurality of light beams. A storage unit that stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship with the calculation unit; a calculation unit that calculates each light amount of the plurality of lights based on the halftone image data while referring to the table; An image processing apparatus, comprising: a transfer control unit that transfers each of the generated light amount values to the output device, and that prompts exposure based on each of the light amount values. 16. The light-sensitive material is exposed to light spots consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths based on the halftone dot image data of each color-separated halftone original to obtain each of the plurality of color dots. An output device for outputting a color proof, wherein a combination of light quantity values to be emitted by the plurality of lights is calculated based on each density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of the halftone dot image data. An output device, comprising: a calculation unit that controls the exposure amount of each of the plurality of light beams based on a combination of the light amount values calculated by the calculation unit. 17. An output device for adjusting each exposure amount of a plurality of lights of an exposure section based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, wherein density values of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan are provided. And a storage unit that stores a table that defines a correspondence relationship between each of the light amounts of the plurality of lights, and based on the halftone image data, calculate each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table, An output device, comprising: a control unit that adjusts and controls an exposure amount from the exposure unit. 18. The photosensitive material is exposed to a light spot consisting of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths based on the halftone dot image data of each color separation halftone original so that each dot of the plurality of colors is colored to produce a color. A color proof creating method for creating a proof, wherein a combination of light amount values to be emitted by the plurality of lights is changed according to each density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of the halftone dot image data. A method for producing a color proof, comprising: an adjusting step for adjusting a light amount. 19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing color adjustment using a calibration LUT.
8. The method for producing a color proof according to item 8. 20. The color proof making method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of performing color adjustment with a dot gain LUT. 21. ICC (International)
7. A color management system standardized by Color Consortium), further comprising a step of performing color adjustment with a profile storing values of a color system corresponding to a combination of basic colors of the output device. The color proof making method according to any one of claims 18 to 20. 22. A color specification as an output value for an input value of a combination of four or three basic colors for a printing machine which is a target of color matching so that an output suitable for the printing machine can be obtained by an output device. One of the first profiles that defines system values, the output values that reproduce the target color, and the values of four or three basic colors as output values for the input values of the combination of the values of the color system Four colors as output values for input values of the other specified first profile or a combination of four colors or three basic colors for output in the printing machine created based on the two first profiles. Or 3
22. The color proof making method according to claim 18, further comprising a step of performing color adjustment using a device link profile that defines a value of a combination of basic colors. . 23. The color proof making method according to claim 18, wherein in the adjusting step, the combination of the respective light amount values is adjusted based on the value of the color system. 24. The color according to claim 18, wherein in the adjusting step, a combination of light amount values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined in the L * a * b * color space. How to make a proof. 25. The color proof according to claim 18, wherein, in the adjusting step, a combination of light amount values is adjusted based on colorimetric value values defined in X, Y, and Z color spaces. How to make. 26. A program for causing a computer to execute the color proof making method according to any one of claims 18 to 25. 27. Computer readable,
An information recording medium recording the program according to claim 26. 28. A halftone dot image data creating means for creating each halftone dot image data which is color-separated based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and the halftone dot image data is output device in a frame sequential manner. To a plurality of light beams having different wavelengths to record a program for obtaining a color proof. The information recording medium includes density values of three basic colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and Table information defining a correspondence relationship with each light amount of light, information for performing a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table based on the halftone image data, and each calculated An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, comprising: information for transferring a light amount value to the output device and performing a process for promoting exposure based on each light amount value. 29. A halftone dot image data creating means for creating each halftone dot image data color-separated based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and outputting the halftone dot image data in a frame sequential manner. And a plurality of light beams having different wavelengths for recording a program for obtaining a color proof, the L * a * b * values being a color space of a color system, and Table information that defines the correspondence relationship with each light amount of light, and information that performs a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights based on the halftone image data while referring to the table, and An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, comprising: information for transferring each light amount value to the output device and performing a process for promoting exposure based on each light amount value. 30. A halftone dot image data creating means for creating color-separated halftone dot image data based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and outputting the halftone dot image data in a frame sequential manner. To an XYZ value, which is a color space of a color system, and an amount of light of each of the plurality of lights. Table information defining a correspondence relationship with, based on the halftone image data, information for performing a process of calculating each light amount of the plurality of lights while referring to the table, and each calculated light amount value An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, which comprises: information that is transferred to an output device and that performs processing for promoting exposure based on each of the light intensity values. 31. Based on halftone image data of each color-separated half original, a light spot composed of a combination of a plurality of lights having different wavelengths is exposed on a light-sensitive material to obtain each dot of the plurality of colors. An information recording medium recording a program for performing a process of outputting a color proof, wherein a plurality of lights are emitted based on each density value of each component of a basic color corresponding to a halftone dot of the halftone dot image data. Information for performing a process of calculating a combination of the respective light amount values to be exposed, and information for performing a process of controlling the exposure amount of the plurality of light beams to be exposed based on the calculated combination of the light amount values. An information recording medium recording a characteristic program. 32. An information recording medium, which records a program for adjusting each exposure amount of a plurality of lights of an exposure section based on image data composed of a plurality of colors, and includes yellow, magenta, and cyan. Table information that defines the correspondence between the density values of the three basic colors and the light amounts of the plurality of lights, and the light amounts of the plurality of lights with reference to the table based on the halftone image data. An information recording medium having a program recorded thereon, which comprises: information for calculating and controlling the amount of exposure from the exposure unit.